Thread: Phoenix police: Prostitution ring used taxi drivers

Phoenix police: Prostitution ring used taxi drivers
by D.S. Woodfill
Aug. 20, 2011 03:24 PM
The Arizona Republic

Phoenix police say they have broken up a sophisticated prostitution ring after a yearlong investigation that resulted in nine arrests so far.

Phoenix police spokesman Sgt. Steve Martos said Saturday that organizers, who did not operate using a business name, focused on recruiting illegal immigrants as young as 19 to work as prostitutes and dispatched them around the Valley using taxi drivers.

"As is the case with most prostitutes, those recruiting will prey on those down on their luck," Martos said in an e-mail.

The organization marketed itself by buying advertisements in Spanish-language magazines and distributing business cards to potential clients, he said.

Profits were shared between the women and ring organizers, he said.

The organization provided "out-call and in-call prostitution services" and "cab drivers would collect money and return money to a main location," Martos said.

Seven women and two men were arrested in connection with the prostitution ring.

The bust on Wednesday was the result of a yearlong investigation by the department's vice squad. The investigation is ongoing and police don't know if there will be any additional arrests, Martos said.

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