In a beach town, a woman sexually exploited two teenage girls at the karaoke bar she owned, according to multiple agencies in Asia.
OUR Rescue investigators used open-source intelligence to locate the karaoke bar after suspecting it of employing and exploiting minors. With permission from local authorities, we then visited the business in early May to investigate further and gather potential evidence.
Once on site, we confirmed the bar owner was exploiting a 15-year-old girl through sex trafficking to make a profit. Of the 2,500 Thai Baht, or roughly $68.44, charged to each customer, she is believed to have kept 500 for herself.
Authorities collected evidence and concluded that human trafficking was occurring, which prompted a raid and rescue operation on the evening of Tuesday, May 7. Sixteen officers from two different government agencies participated.
We were present for the six-hour operation to provide law enforcement with any support they needed. Members of OUR Rescue’s leadership team also witnessed the raid and rescue firsthand.
Authorities arrested the bar owner and rescued the 15-year-old. A second minor was also rescued. Officials say she too was exploited by the bar owner, who threatened not to pay her for working unless she provided sexual services to clients.
Both survivors are now receiving care at a government shelter.