16 nabbed in anti- prostitution drive

Sixteen people were arrested yesterday in separate raids conducted by police and immigration agents on several night clubs and restaurants in the main tourist district of Garapan in fresh attempt to curb the proliferation of prostitution on the island.

The suspects, 10 women and six men, were rounded up around 8:00 p.m. when a combined team of officers from the Departments of Labor and Immigration and Public Safety swooped down on 10 establishments suspected to be fronts for flesh trade.

The crackdown was the first to be carried out by the authorities this year as part of its campaign to fight prostitution. Three similar operations were conducted in 1999 after tourism officials complained of what they described as blatant solicitation by women promoting sex for money, a situation officials feared would hurt the image of the Northern Marianas as a wholesome destination.

As of press time, the suspects were still being interviewed and processed by immigration agents and police officers at the Garapan Central Park.

“They will be charged with promoting prostitution and loitering,” said Maj. Clyde Norita, chief of the Office for Special Services. Dubbed as Red Light IV, he said the operation was a product of three weeks of planning and undercover work, targeting the arrest of 20 people.

Mr. Norita noted that most of the establishments included in the raid are located in the side streets away from the main hotel street.
“They are moving away from the main hotel area apparently trying to be discreet as they hide in the shadows of the alleys of Western Garapan to avoid law enforcers, ” he said. Most of the women working in the clubs are also selling Viagra, a pill that improves a man’s sexual function.

Seven staff from the Immigration Division’s Investigation Unit led by Capt. Ed Cabrera joined the raiding team as they inspected the work permit and immigration papers of those arrested.

Almost every night for one week, the police carried out undercover work to identify the establishments allegedly used in promoting prostitution, according to Sgt. Jack Salas, head of the raiding team.

The Marianas Visitors Authority and the Japan-Saipan Travel Association provided assistance with some of the Japanese tour operators posing as customers or tourists to help gather the needed information.

“They helped us a lot in gathering more information to successfully carry out this raid,” said Mr. Salas.

Some of the women cried silently as they waited to be interviewed and finger prints taken by the police.

One woman, Li Hong Fan, 27, angrily questioned her arrest claiming she only went to the club to collect the money borrowed by the establishment’s manager. Ms. Li said her friend gave her $1,500 payment when she was immediately handcuffed and taken to a waiting police car.

The establishments raided were Treasure Island, VIP Club, Noodle House, Mura Ichiban, 2000 Club, Cordon Bleu, Subaru, Hibiscus, Lala Gift Shop, and Penguin.