Seven people have been charged in relation to unlawful prostitution after police raided four businesses in Brisbane’s bayside suburbs.
Detectives from the Bayside CIB, with assistance from Crime and Intelligence Command’s Prostitution Enforcement Taskforce executed search warrants last week on four premises – one on Panorama Drive Thornlands, one on West Avenue Wynnum and two on Old Cleveland Road Capalaba.
It will be alleged the premises were operating falsely under the guise of legitimate massage parlours.
The protracted operation commenced with assistance from Redland City Council, after police received multiple complaints from the Redlands area.
A 40-year-old Upper Mount Gravatt woman was charged with advertising prostitution offences following the search of the Thornlands premises, located a short distance away from a school. She was issued with a Notice to Appear in Cleveland Magistrates Court on January 19.
A 50-year-old Calamvale woman and a 35-year-old woman were charged with knowingly participating in prostitution offences during the search of the Old Cleveland Road premises. Both were issued with a Notice to Appear in Cleveland Magistrates Court on January 19.
A 31-year-old Manly West man was charged during the search of the same premises, with being in places reasonably suspected of being used for prostitution. He was issued with a Notice to Appear in Cleveland Magistrates Court on January 19.
A 47-year-old Sunnybank woman was given a Notice to Appear for advertising prostitution offences at a separate premises on Old Cleveland Road. She is due to appear in Cleveland Magistrates Court on January 19.
A 50-year-old Browns Plains woman and 34-year-old Kenmore Hills woman were charged with knowingly participating in prostitution during the search of the West Avenue premises. Both were issued with a Notice to Appear in Wynnum Magistrates Court on January 18.
Investigators are continuing to work with council and landlords to reduce this illegal activity.
Police would like to thank the community for reporting concerns to Crime Stoppers and encourage members of the public to continue to do so.
If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting.
You can report information about crime anonymously to Crime Stoppers, a registered charity and community volunteer organisation, via crimestoppersqld.com.au 24hrs per day.
