Major police op targets immoral activities in Johor

JOHOR BARU: Forty-nine foreign women were among 67 individuals arrested by the police for suspected prostitution during a large-scale raid.

Johor police chief Comm M. Kumar said the operation, dubbed Ops Noda Khas, targeted premises that were under suspicion of being used to run immoral activities.

A total of 17 premises were raided, he added.

“We nabbed 67 individuals comprising eight local men, six foreign men, four local women and 49 foreign women, aged between 21 and 61,” he said in a statement yesterday.

During the raid conducted last Thursday, the police also confiscated items such as condoms, lubricant, massage oil, working schedules, receipts, mobile phones, various types of drugs weighing 2.5kg and RM57,447 cash.

All the suspects were remanded to help with investigations, Comm Kumar said.

The operation was conducted by 18 senior officers and 94 policemen from the Anti-Vice Gambling and Secret Societies Division (D7), he added.

The case is being investigated under Section 107 of the Local Government Act 1976 for operating without a licence, Sections 372, 372B, and 373 of the Penal Code for exploiting any person for prostitution, soliciting for prostitution, and using premises for immoral activities.

The police will also investigate the case under Sections 6(1)(c), 15(1)(c) and 55B of the Immigration Act 1959/63, as well as Section 39(b) of the Immigration Regulations 1959/63.

According to Comm Kumar, the case will also be investigated under Section 39(B) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 for the distribution of drugs.