Glenroy Sinclair, Staff Reporter
A 13-YEAR-OLD schoolgirl who was lured into prostitution by two elderly men was rescued last Friday during a sting operation carried out by detectives attached to the Organised Crime Investigation Division (OCID).
The two men were identified by the police as Narcot Graham, alias 'Pedro', a 55-year-old taxi driver of Deanery Terrace, Kingston, and Ajon Stephenson, 52, woodcraft vendor of a Kingston 12 address. They are scheduled to appear in the Corporate Area Criminal Court today on charges of breaching the Child Care Protection Act.
"We have since called in the mother and interviewed her, while the teenager is being held at a place of safety for children," head of OCID, Senior Superintendent Devon Watkis, told The Gleaner last night.
MONEY FOR SEX
The teenager, who attends a Kingston high school, was reported absent from classes for a week. During that time, the men reportedly made arrangements for her to stay at one of New Kingston's posh hotels.
According to the police, the men, who acted as pimps, offered the teenager between US$100 and US$300 for performing sexual favours with men. Her services were offered for up to US$800.
SSP Watkis said the police will continue to work with its international partners and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to bring those persons who are involved in human trafficking to book.
Over the past five years, SSP Watkis said at least 230 persons have been convicted for carnal abuse and are serving sentences of not less than eight years.
