Eight charged in illegal brothel sting on Sunshine Coast

ASIAN prostitutes aged up to 50 but advertising themselves as "20-year-old bikini models" were among those arrested during a crackdown on illegal brothels.

ASIAN prostitutes aged up to 50 but advertising themselves as "20-year-old bikini models" were among those arrested during a crackdown on illegal brothels on the Sunshine Coast.

In a three-day operation, police targeted a Maroochydore townhouse and two motels being used by prostitutes of Chinese and Thai origin.

One woman, found to have overstayed her visa, was immediately deported to Thailand.

Police told The Courier-Mail that eight women were arrested and would face a total of 14 charges.

These included knowingly participating in illegal prostitution and possession of tainted goods (mobile phones and cash).

The three illegal operations were not connected and were believed to have been going for a few months.

Four women were sharing a townhouse, while three were in one motel and two in another.

Police said they issued warnings to the managers of the motels.

The women, aged between 26 and 50, placed ads in the local daily newspaper, some promoting themselves as 20-year-old bikini models.

They are believed to have been charging up to $150 an hour for their services.

Some were formerly from Thailand and China but now Australian citizens, while others were on temporary visas.

The police raids, which culminated Sunday, involved officers from the Prostitution Enforcement Task Force, Sunshine Coast Tactical Crime Squad and Department of Immigration.

The eight women charged are expected to face Maroochydore Magistrates Court on March 18.