Five arrested in Zeeland illegal prostitution ring

Five men were arrested in Middelburg, Zeeland on Tuesday on suspicion of organizing illegal prostitution, human trafficking and forced prostitution, the police said in a statement on Friday. The police launched an investigation after receiving a tip that prostitutes may be working from two homes on Saffier in Middelburg. The initial results of the investigation showed signs of forced prostitution and, in consultation with the Public Prosecutor, the police decided to intervene the same day. A team consisting of police officers, officers from the human trafficking department and a SWAT unit raided the two homes at around 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday. The five men - a 30-year-old from Vlissingen and four men from Middelburg age 23,31, 43 and 47 - were arrested. Officers also found four women in the homes. The police believe they are victims in this case and they were not arrested.