Missing Dutch girl among 5 rescued in Antwerp sex trafficking bust at shisha lounge
A raid at a shisha lounge earlier this month in Antwerp uncovered an apparent sex trafficking operation, with police rescuing three girls and two women. One of the girls was reported missing in the Netherlands and was handed over to Dutch authorities, according to a statement from the mayor’s office, released on Thursday afternoon. No arrests were announced in connection with the raid.
The police began investigating the location on Sint-Bartholomeusstraat in the city’s Merksem district “due to serious indications of human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation,” the statement alleged. “During a check, the police found five scantily clad girls in the drinking establishment, including three minors.”
It is still being determined if the bar’s clients were paying to have sexual contact with the girls, but that is “probably” the case, authorities stated. “A number of the girls were in possession of fanny packs containing a quantity of cash. Behind the bar, memos were found stating the daily income. These contained the names of two of the minor girls, with an amount stated next to them.”
The commercial space's door handle was removed, which police believe was meant to make it harder for investigators to enter the facility when it was ultimately raided on December 7. The property's glass exteriors were also covered with dark tint. Some 1,705 euros in cash were recovered during the raid.
"The police drew up two reports for the manager and the doorman for violations of private and special security." The bouncer at the door was not legally allowed to be working in Belgium, and several others employees were being paid under the table. Many of the customers were also living illegally in Belgium.
The “drinking establishment” was also not permitted to operate as a shisha bar, and was responsible for a great deal of nuisance in the neighborhood, police said at the time. “In addition, other violations were found that disturb public order,” the mayor's office claimed.
“The notes with the daily income showed that balloons for the use of laughing gas were sold for 5 euros each.” One customer was in possession of a quantity of hashish, and people were allowed to smoke tobacco without following local or national restrictions.
Authorities were concerned about the risk of recurrence, and Mayor Bart De Wever ordered the location closed for at least the next two months, and it may only reopen if additional conditions are met. “In addition, the vulnerable position of the minor girls requires that they are protected by all possible legal means by taking a concrete and sufficient measure.”
