Seven Romanians arrested in human trafficking bust in Amsterdam's Red Light District
The police arrested seven suspects in connection with a large operation against human trafficking in Amsterdam’s Red Light District. Four suspects were arrested during raids in the Amsterdam neighborhood on Tuesday evening. Another three were arrested in Romania, the police said on Wednesday.
The police released no further details. According to Parool, the suspects all have Romanian nationality and form part of a large pimp gang that allegedly forced dozens of women into prostitution for years.
Masked police officers armed with battering rams and sniffer dogs raided multiple locations in the Red Light District on Tuesday evening, drawing many stares from the tourists and locals in the popular area.
Parool reporters saw officers raid a home on Oudekerksplein. They also raided several properties on Oudezijds Achterburgwal, including a home situated between two window brothel companies. Among the arrests in Amsterdam were the driver of a bicycle taxi and a man pulled out of the TrainMore gym on Oosterdok.
Police officers also approached sex workers whom they believe are victims of human trafficking, asking them to give statements.
The raids were part of a long, ongoing, and large-scale investigation into forced prostitution in Amsterdam, working closely with the Romanian authorities. The investigation is ongoing, and the police will not provide further details at this time.
The suspects are all in restricted custody, which means they are only allowed to have contact with their lawyers.
