In a significant crackdown on human trafficking and illegal sex trade, the Navi Mumbai police, led by the Anti-Human Trafficking Cell (AHTC) of the Crime Branch, busted a sex racket operating in the Narpoli area of Kon in Panvel. Acting on a specific tip-off, the authorities conducted a strategic raid at a local lodging and boarding facility on Thursday, resulting in the arrest of three individuals and the rescue of six women who were being exploited.
According to police officials, the operation was initiated after the Crime Branch received confidential information about a prostitution racket being run under the guise of a guesthouse in the area. Officers from the AHTC began surveillance of the premises and, upon confirming suspicious activities, launched a raid with support from local law enforcement.
During the raid, three individuals, believed to be key operatives in the racket, were taken into custody. These include the suspected manager of the facility, an alleged pimp, and an intermediary who was reportedly responsible for coordinating with clients. All three are currently being interrogated to uncover further details about the operation, including its scale, network, and links to other areas or accomplices.
The police also rescued six women from the premises, all of whom are believed to have been forced into sex work. These women, some of whom were lured to Mumbai under the pretense of job opportunities, were found in distressing conditions. Authorities confirmed that the women have been moved to a shelter home and are being provided with counselling and rehabilitation support.
A senior police official stated, “We acted swiftly after receiving credible information. The arrested individuals have been charged under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act. The rescued women will undergo medical examinations and will be given assistance as part of our rehabilitation process.”
Initial investigations suggest that the sex racket was being run discreetly for several months, targeting clients via online platforms and word-of-mouth. The lodging facility, situated in a relatively quiet neighborhood, was chosen deliberately to avoid attention. Police are now working to determine whether the establishment’s owner was aware of the activities or involved in any capacity.
The bust highlights the continued prevalence of human trafficking and forced sex work in urban areas, often masked by legitimate businesses. Officials emphasized that community vigilance and timely reporting of suspicious activities play a crucial role in combating such crimes.
The Navi Mumbai police have assured that they will continue cracking down on such illegal networks and have urged citizens to report any suspected trafficking or exploitation through the helpline or local police stations.
As the investigation continues, further arrests may follow based on digital evidence recovered from the premises and statements from the rescued victims. Authorities are also examining potential links to larger trafficking syndicates operating in other parts of Maharashtra and beyond.
This latest bust serves as a grim reminder of the exploitation that continues to thrive in the shadows and the urgent need for collective societal action against human trafficking and sexual exploitation.
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