GREAT BAY--The Police Force of St. Maarten, KPSM, together with the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee, KMar, and the Immigration Department, conducted a control operation at an adult entertainment establishment in Oyster Pond on Saturday night, August 8, 2026, following information concerning possible human trafficking and related offenses.
According to KPSM, the operation was carried out under the leadership of the Judge of Instruction and involved several detectives and other police officers, with support from KMar and Immigration personnel.
The operation was initiated after authorities received information indicating that possible acts of human trafficking and other related offenses may have been taking place at the establishment.
During the control, officers spoke with women working at the location. KPSM said some of the women identified themselves as possible victims of human trafficking based on irregularities they reported had been occurring at the establishment.
Those women were subsequently placed in a victim protection program.
Other women who did not meet the criteria for victim status and who were found to be residing illegally in St. Maarten were turned over to the Immigration Department for further handling.
During the operation, a woman identified by police as the person operating the establishment was arrested and transported to the police station for questioning.
KPSM said the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the establishment and the information that prompted the operation remains ongoing.
