JEDDAH – The Commission of the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice (Hai'a) recently busted a prostitution ring, which was operated by an Ethiopian woman and a Saudi man in his 30s. The suspects were also involved in the illegal sale of alcohol. After a young man tipped the Hai'a off about the prostitution ring, they commenced a secret investigation to gather more information about the illegal activities. Acting as a decoy, a member of the Hai'a approached the Ethiopian woman and told her that he was interested in having a big party and wanted several women to attend. He also told the suspect he needed alcohol for his party. She told him that it would cost him SR10,000, which he agreed to pay. In the heat of the party, members of the Hai'a raided the house and arrested all attendees, including the ringleaders. Six women and four men of various nationalities were caught red-handed engaging in obscene activities inside the ringleader's house. Meanwhile, the Hai'a busted a liquor distillery inside Al-Faisaliya neighborhood and arrested an Asian man who was operating and selling alcohol from the establishment. Six large barrels brimming with liquor were found inside the house. Al-Safa police are investigating all suspects involved in the prostitution ring, as well as the liquor distillery.
