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OPERATION RED LIGHT YIELDS 8 Anti-prostitution drive launched
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Posted on Jul 19 1999
Responding to the federal government’s concern about the alleged proliferation of sex trade in the CNMI, the local government has stepped up its anti-prostitution drive by launching an operation last week that yielded eight suspected pimps and prostitutes.
Three women and five men, all natives of China, were arrested by policemen during a dawn raid on Friday, a government lawyer said.
Asst. Atty. General Marvin Williams said the eight were arrested in the red light district of Garapan after a week-long surveillance conducted by agents of the Department of Public Safety.
The raid was part of the police department’s Operation Red Light campaign, which is aimed at erasing Saipan’s image as haven for prostitution.
Williams said the eight were arrested outside the different night clubs in Garapan.
Superior Court Judge John Manglona released the suspects on bail after a late afternoon hearing on Friday.
The three women were accused of “offering sexual services for money,” while the five men were charged with “promoting prostitution.”
Williams said the arresting officers found one of the suspects, Huang Shou Yu, in possession of more than $6,000.
Sources said a prostitute charges between $70 and $80 per sexual service.
The government’s complaint alleged that on June 9 and 10, Huang “approached an individual and offered sexual services for money.”
The seven others were Zhi Guiang Wang, Bao Lin Sha, Yi Xiou Zhen, Wen Feng Chen, Hong Jian Huang, Guo Long Chan and Zhong Yi Lu.
Police believe that some of those arrested are overstaying aliens, while others are contract workers moonlighting in Garapan after their off-duty hours.
Earlier this year the human rights group Global Survey Network released a report which alleged that prostitution, especially among alien workers, was rampant in the CNMI. The Department of the Interior has likewise made the same note in its earlier reports.
“The CNMI government and the Department of Public Safety are interested in doing something to solve this problem,” Williams said.
