What action will be taken following an investigation into a case of human trafficking involving two Malagasy nationals? That’s what the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) of the Southern Division is waiting for. The two women, aged 28 and 34 respectively, and a 31-year-old Mauritian, were arrested at a boarding house in Mahebourg on the afternoon of Friday June 2. They had confessed to being there to have sexual relations with customers in exchange for payment of Rs 1000 at the request of the manager. The 33-year-old was also arrested.
An operation led by Sergeant Séblin of the South Division’s Emergency Response Service (ERS) enabled these police officers to dismantle this human trafficking network. Following a series of complaints, after hours of surveillance, the officers raided the Mahebourg boarding house. Armed with a search warrant, the men of the ERS landed at this location.
A 28-year-old self-employed Malagasy woman from Trou aux Biches was questioned about her presence at the guesthouse. She told the police that she was there to have sex with men sent by the manager in exchange for Rs 1000.
Another Malagasy woman, aged 34, who was also in the guesthouse, also justified her presence by having sex with clients sent by the manager. The two Malagasy women are being held in a cell at the Bel Ombre police station. Rose-Belle, a 31-year-old woman from the Ballisson region, was also caught in the net of the ERS police. She gave the same explanation as the two Madagascans. Rose-Belle, who is in her thirties, was paroled after giving her statement.
The three women were brought before the Mahebourg court on a provisional charge of prostitution. The two Malagasy women were also charged with illegal residence in Mauritius. Only the Rose-Belle resident was released on bail after her court appearance. The manager, who was subsequently arrested, remains in custody. He is suspected of employing Madagascans in a prostitution ring.
