Ormond and Clayton illegal brothels: Police arrest two people
Video footage showing a woman being led out of what police say was a brothel operating in a Melbourne house during COVID-19 lockdown has emerged after police raids of Clayton and Ormond homes uncovered two alleged illegal sex dens.
Inner South
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A man and women have been arrested by police after allegedly operating illegal brothels in Ormond and Clayton.
Officers from the sex industry co-ordination unit and state liquor unit pounced on the duo on Friday morning.
They allege the 35-year-old woman and 41-year-old man were running two illegal brothels out of houses in Ormond and Clayton.
A police spokesman said three women were found at the Wheatley Rd, Ormond address, and two women at the Carinish St, Clayton address/
“Two of the women were found hiding in closets. They each received a fine of $1652,” he said.
As part of the arrests — at the Wheatley Rd Ormond home, a Malua St Ormond home and the Carinish Rd Clayton home — about 10:45am on Friday, officers also seized property including mobile phones and computers.
The pair has since been released from custody. It’s expected they will each be charged on summons with matters relating to operating unlicensed brothels from residential properties and will appear before a magistrates’ court at a later date.
The arrests come following a week-long focus by police cracking down on the operation of illegal brothels in residential addresses, which began on August 28.
During the week 14 fines were issued to people located at these premises in breach of the directions of the chief health officer.
The investigation remains ongoing and investigators are asking anyone who has information or suspects they know of an illegal brothel to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at crimestoppersvic.com.au
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