Four Venezuelan women suspected to be victims of human trafficking were rescued during an early morning police raid on two city businesses last Friday; the raid also led to the recovery of an illegal firearm.
Police in a press release yesterday said that ranks of the force’s Major Crime Unit and Trafficking in Persons Unit, acting on information, swooped down on two popular business establishments located opposite each other at George and Princes streets, Werk-en-Rust, Georgetown, just after 02:00 hrs.
A search, the release said, was conducted, during which several persons were detained and arrested including four foreign women, who were said to be employees, the two proprietors (both men), one of whom was found in possession of an unlicensed firearm and 15 live rounds of ammunition.
The women, it was stated, are suspected to be victims of human trafficking and have since been placed into the care of the Ministry of Social Protection pending an investigation.
Several sources indicated that the women are Venezuelans. This newspaper was told that three of the women were found at the Guinness Bar Umbrella Chill Spot, while the fourth was found at the Diamond Hotel and Bar. It was explained that the Diamond Hotel and Bar opened its doors during the Easter holidays and its main attraction is a ‘gentleman’s club’.
