Playa del Carmen, Q.R. — Local authorities say nearly a dozen women were rescued from forced prostitution in Playa del Carmen. The State Attorney General says in collaboration with the Navy and National Guard, the women were removed from a bar.
During the Wednesday night search, authorities located nine Mexican nationals, one Cuban, and one Colombian women who are potential victims of human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation, they said.
The person in charge of the establishment was also arrested.
Following investigative work, prosecutors requested and obtained a search warrant which was executed at an establishment operating as a bar on the federal highway.
“During the operation, agents found 11 women who, under the direction of the manager identified as Yolanda Fiordalise “N”, worked as waitresses,” police said.
“They also solicited drinks with customers and offered sexual services for a fee of 4,000 pesos, plus an additional 1,000 pesos for the use of a room. Payments were made directly at the register, with the establishment retaining 50 percent of the proceeds. If the women failed to perform the work, the bar owner’s son would physically assault them,” authorities explained in a statement.
The bar was shut down and seized by state officials.
