ST JOHN'S, Antigua, CMC:
ANTIGUAN IMMIGRATION officials were yesterday interviewing a group of 50 prostitutes from four Caribbean islands with a view to deporting them by today.
Police raided four nightclubs early Tuesday morning and took the ladies into custody before calling in the immigration officials.
The crackdown came after Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer called on the police to take action against prostitution that is illegal in the country.
"We raided the four houses of prostitution and a number of persons were taken into custody. We will hold them until the interview is finished," said Police Public Relations Officer, McClean Hunte.
Hunte said that the authorities were also "looking for a number of items, marijuana and unlicensed firearms".
"It was a thorough operation. Our operation was successful and the persons are here for immigration purposes," he said.
Chief Immigration Officer Colonel Clyde Walker said the women would be deported.
"Yes they have time, but it doesn?t mean anything. Once you are found in a brothel that time of the morning - what are you in there for?" Walker asked.
A LEGITIMATE BUSINESS
Immigration officials said the women are from the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Trinidad and Guyana, but the owner of the club, Bruce Watt told a local newspaper that he was operating a legitimate business.
"I think they should look for these girls outside. I'm 32 years in this business and I don't owe 'ha'penny' for light or water. I never owe in my life. Just last week I paid EC$3,000 (US$1,111) for utility," he told The Sun newspaper.
