THE NEW unit that has been established in the Organised Crime Investigative Division of the Jamaica Constabulary Force, has arrested 57 persons for human trafficking violations since it was set up just under a month ago.Of that number, eight persons were taken before the courts and convicted for various offences.
Two minors, one a 14-year-old student of a Kingston high school, were also held during special operations carried out by the unit.
Superintendent Devon Watkiss, who heads the human smuggling and trafficking in persons investigation unit, said the arrests and raids took place in several parishes throughout the island, however, he said they have had a special focus.
"We have been focusing on places which we feel facilitate and accommodate activities which are consistent with the elements within the definition of trafficking in persons and related activities," he explained.
One such operation carried out on July 14 in Culloden, Westmoreland, resulted in the arrest of 50 persons who were engaged in the recruitment of women for employment in night-clubs, bars and massage parlours.
REASONABLE SUSPICION
Superintendent Watkiss said the women, who were held on "reasonable suspicion", were questioned and released. The superintendent said that while the majority of persons held were female, some males, including the owner of the premises were also arrested and questioned. The owner was also cited for breaches of the Public Health Act.
On July 11, the unit raided a massage parlour in St. Catherine and arrested the owner and charged him for employing a child.
Superintendent Watkiss said the child, who is 14 years old, is a third-form student at a Kingston high school. She was employed under the guise of performing the duties of a masseuse. However, it was discovered that she and other girls were engaged in prostitution on the premises that housed the massage parlour. The matter is currently before the Spanish Town Resident Magistrate's Court.
The owner of the facility was slapped with at least eight charges, including employing a minor, allowing his premises to be operated as a brothel, employing a child for purposes contrary to the Child Care and Protection Act, breaches of the Spirit and Licences Act and living off the earnings of prostitution.
On the same night, the unit raided the True Fantasy nightclub on Port Henderson Road in St. Catherine and arrested seven persons, including exotic dancers who were employed to the club.
Four nightclubs were raided in Clarendon and three persons arrested. In St. Elizabeth, six clubs were raided and two persons arrested.
