Security officers recently raided and rounded up a good number of young women at prominent brothels in the Greater Banjul Area.

During a mass operation by security agents between 1 and 2 a.m. that day, 31 Gambians and 49 non-Gambians alleged sex workers were arrested.

According to sources, the random operation was carried out at three well-known small sized hotels in the Senegambia area. The sources further said that among the alleged prostitutes were Sierra Leoneans, Senegalese and Bissau Guineans.

According to sources, the Gambian suspects were taken to Bakau Police Station while the non-Gambians were taken to the Serekunda Police Station and subsequently moved to the New Jeshwang Immigration Post.

The sources further said that the Gambians were later taken to the Mile II Central Prison. One of the young women who confessed to being a sex worker, a Gambian, was said to have been released with plans for her immediate rehabilitation.

OC Jatta, the Immigration PRO, confirmed in his response to a question that 49 foreigners and 31 Gambians were arrested. PRO Jatta said: “The arrested women were not deported. They have been bailed. The investigations are on, and upon completion, the law will take its course. But as for now no one has been deported.”

It could be recalled that a crack-down on brothels in Tallinding had caused problems in the past, leading to the burning down of the brothels involved.