Following a long-term covert surveillance operation, a brothel fronting as a massage parlor in Phnom Penh was raided by police officers, together with AIM SWAT, on July 5th.
During the operation, a 16-year-old girl, 2 other suspected minors, and 5 adults were rescued and one suspect was arrested. The massage parlor/brothel was officially closed by local authorities after the search for and seizure of evidence.
In interviews with the police, the girls confirmed that they were being sold for sex to the profit of the suspect who was charged with child sex trafficking-related offenses and will remain in prison until trial.
The minors were transferred to partner aftercare centers while one of the adults accepted the offer to stay at an AIM Transitional Home and work at our employment center. The other adults were transferred to the Government Social Affairs Office. Our SWAT legal team will represent the minor victims and any of the adults who wish us to do so throughout the forthcoming legal process.