JOHOR BARU: A total of 67 individuals, including 49 foreign women, were arrested by the police for prostitution during a large-scale raid last Thursday (Jan 25).

Johor police chief Comm M. Kumar said that the raid, dubbed Ops Noda Khas, was joined by 18 senior officers and 94 policemen from the Anti-Vice Gambling and Secret Societies Division (D7).

"The main targets were the premises that have been suspected of running immoral activities, and a total of 17 premises were raided.

"We have managed to arrest 67 individuals, consisting of eight local men, six foreign men, four local women, and 49 foreign women, all aged between 21 and 61," he said in a statement here on Saturday (Jan 27).

The police had also confiscated items such as condoms, lubricant, massage oil, working schedules, receipts, mobile phones, various types of drugs weighing 2.5kg, and cash worth RM57,447.

All of the suspects were currently waiting for their remand order to help with the investigations, he added.

The case is being investigated under Section 107 of the Local Government Act 1976 for operating without a licence, Section 372, Section 372B, and Section 373 of the Penal Code for exploiting any person for prostitution, soliciting for prostitution, and using a premise for immoral activity.

The police will also investigate the case under Section 6(1)(c), Section 15(1)(c), and Section 55B of the Immigration Act 1959/63, as well as Section 39(b) of the Immigration Regulations 1959/63.

"The case will also be investigated under Section 39(B) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 for the distribution of drugs," he added.