Police have arrested a man and woman from Ormond for allegedly operating two illegal brothels at residences in Ormond and Clayton.
Officers from the Sex Industry Coordination Unit and State Liquor Unit executed warrants at a Wheatley Road Ormond, Malua Street Ormond and Carinish Road Clayton homes about 10:45am on Friday 4 September.
The warrants were executed part of an investigation into contraventions of the Sex Work Act.
Police arrested a 35-year-old woman and 41-year-old man at the premises and seized property including mobile phones and computers.
The pair have 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.
Three women were located at the Wheatley Road Ormond address, with an additional two women located at the Carinish Street Clayton address; two of the women were found hiding in closets.
They each received a fine of $1652.
The arrests come following a weeklong focus commencing on 28 August, cracking down on the operation of illegal brothels in residential addresses.
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 www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
