15 female foreign nationals found at EBD bar during TIP exercise

Fifteen foreign nationals were found at the Bikers Bar, Covent Garden Public Road, East Bank Demerara (EBD), during a Trafficking in Persons (TIP) exercise on Thursday.
It was revealed that the Guyana Police Force, Ministry of Home Affairs, and the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security – Counter Trafficking in Persons Unit, based on intelligence received, conducted a cordon and search exercise operation at the Covent Garden Public Road Bar.
During the operation, 15 female foreign nationals were found on the premises and were subsequently interviewed.

Currently, an investigation is being undertaken into alleged acts of human trafficking and labour exploitation. According to the Ministry, at least one suspect has been detained.
The Ministry said it will provide further updates as they become available and wish to further notify the public that the Guyana Police Force will continue to monitor these establishments.
Meanwhile, this is not the first-time foreign nationals, were detained at the said bar.
In 2018, several women, who are all foreign nationals, were detained at the bar during a police raid. Ranks of A Division, had received a report that the strip club was in operation, and as a result, ranks responded and conducted a search of the premises.
During the two-hour period, 27 female foreign nationals were found in the building. The females were later detained and investigated.
The ranks also picked up the owner/operator of the facility, who resides at Nutmeg Street, North Ruimveldt, Georgetown.
In addition, a case of liquor was also seized and lodged since there was no license granted to operate “any business whatsoever” on the premises.
There was a supermarket operated by Chinese nationals on the premises prior to the opening of the bar four years ago. Bandits had robbed the Fresh Mart Supermarket back in 2016 of close to one million dollars in cash and valuables.