Four arrested on prostitution charges in police raid of salon

Police last night arrested two Thai women and two local men on prostitution charges after raiding a Male’-based business suspected of operating as a massage parlor.

The business, called Maldivian Care, was located on the first floor of H.Hulhugali, a property belonging to Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Former President Ibrahim Zaki – who has not been implicated in the raid.

Speaking to the press today, Deputy Head of Serious and Organized Crime Inspector Mohamed Dhaudh said that police had received information that prostitution was allegedly being conducted at Maldivian Care’s premises -charges it said were later confirmed through police intelligence.

Dhaudh said police entered the saloon last night at 9:45pm with a court warrant.  Maldivian Care was located on the first floor of the house, where police claim that the business was ran from an apartment with two lockable rooms.

Dhaudh added that when police entered the property, the outside door of the apartment was locked as well as the two interior rooms as well.

Police officials identified the two Thai national suspects as Thonbai Sons and Sdhafone Budicha and the two Maldivian men as Mohamed Shinah of Thinadhoo in Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll and Moosa Ibrahim of Inguraidhoo in Raa Atoll.

Police said that although the Maldivian Care business appeared to be operated as a salon, officers had discovered items used for sexual activities inside the property.

In the first room, police reported finding a Thai woman and a naked Maldivian.  After searches were conducted of both suspects, an unused condom was found inside the pocket of the man’s trouser, whilst Rf500 was found in the pocket of the woman.

Police claimed that large amounts of Maldivian Ruffiya, US dollars and Euros were found inside the female suspect’s bag.

According to police, another Maldives national and a Thai female were found inside the second room.  Upon entering, police reported that the Maldivian man was discovered lying down, whilst the Thai woman was waiting near him.

When police searched the woman’s bag, lots of Maldivian Ruffiya, Euros and US dollars, as well as pills used for “sexual activities” were found inside.

Dhaudh said the sponsor of the two Thai nationals arrested during the raid was Mohamed Adam of Fenfushi in Alifu Dhaalu Atoll.  According to police, the sponsor has a previous police record relating to prostitution charges.

Last month, police confirmed they had made several raids on properties linked to prostitution, resulting in the arrest of a number of female expatriates.

Under the previous government, the shutting down of alternative medical centres linked to sexual activities was one of the five demands made by a coalition of NGOs and then-opposition party politicians.