JOHOR BARU: Police have arrested seven individuals, including three women, for suspected prostitution activities during a raid in Taman Sri Tebrau here.
Johor Baru South OCPD Asst Comm Raub Selamat said the raid, dubbed “Ops Noda” was conducted on an illicit brothel disguised as a massage centre at 6pm on Nov 22.
“The operation, conducted by the IPD Johor Baru South Criminal Investigation Division, resulted in the arrest of seven individuals, including four male caretakers and three women believed to be offering immoral services at the premises.
“The seven suspects, aged between 29 and 44, comprised two locals and five foreign nationals,” he said in a statement here on Saturday (Nov 23).
ACP Raub added that the police also confiscated some items, including 18 condoms, two tubes of lubricant, 12 mobile phones, and RM947 in cash.
“Initial investigations revealed the premises operated without a valid licence, targeting a wide range of clients from 12pm to 3am.
“One of the male suspects has four prior criminal records, while the remaining six have no criminal history,” he added.
All suspects are being held on remand, with four detained for four days from Nov 23 to Nov 26, and the remaining two detained for two days from Nov 23 to Nov 24.
The case is being investigated under Section 55B and Section 6(1)(C) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 for employing foreign workers without valid permits and for illegal entry in Malaysia and Regulation 39(B) of the Immigration Regulations 1963 for misuse of social visit passes.
It is also investigated under Section 372B and Section 373(1)(a) of the Penal Code for managing or controlling prostitution activities and for operating a brothel.
Members of the public with information on prostitution activities are urged to contact the Johor Baru South Police Hotline at 07-2182323.
