| James Kon and Fadley Faisal |
TWO Vietnamese women, believed to be involved in prostitution activities, were detained by personnel of the Gambling Suppression and Anti-Vice Investigative Unit of the Criminal Investigation Department of the Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF) during raids in two separate hotels on Wednesday.
In the first raid, a 33-year-old Vietnamese woman named Nguyen Thi Duy was detained for allegedly being involved in immoral activities by offering sex to clients for cash.
The suspect was nabbed in one of the resthouses in the Gadong area. The second suspect, 34-year-old Nguyen Thi Minh Hiep, was detained in a hotel around Bandar Seri Begawan. She was also believed to have offered sex services.
In the raids, police personnel also found a number of evidence such as cash that was believed to be from clients as well as boxes of condoms.
From the information attained by the RBPF, police personnel also arrested a 32-year-old Vietnamese man named Dang Van Hoa who is believed to be the pimp.
After investigations, it was found that the suspect communicated through the mobile phone application WeChat where it stated prices of sexual services as well as place for the immoral activities.
All three suspects and evidence were brought back to the Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.
The case is being investigated under Chapter 22, Section 294A of the Penal Code.
The RBPF will not hesitate to take action to combat any immoral activities, and stern action will be taken on anyone found to be involved in prostitution, including the clients.
The RBPF also reminded the public to not get involved in any immoral activity that could damage the harmony of the community.
Meanwhile, the Magistrate’s Court later yesterday handed down a fine of BND1,000 or two months’ imprisonment in default of payment to Nguyen Thi Duy who pleaded guilty to prostitution. DPP Sabrina binti Haji Mahmud informed the court that the Vietnamese woman was discovered during the raid.
Magistrate Hajah Ervy Sufitriana binti Haji Abdul Rahman presided over the case.