Raids reveal possible human trafficking
Del. prostitution arrests may have found victim
Delaware Online : Terri Sanginiti and James Merriweather : April 3rd 2006
Link:
http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060403/NEWS/604030346/1006

Summary:
This article gives more information on MS-13 activities that are related to prostitution and human trafficking. Specifically, this article sheds more light on an earlier post, specifically about a brothel operating in Maryland. It turns out the Maryland brothel could be part of a larger phenomenon of east coast brothels catering in Mexican and Central American "clients". Police recently raided a brothel in New Jersey, and three in Delaware, including one near a school and police station. These recent raids are the last in a string being conducted along the Northern East Coast, mostly in Delaware. In addition to the one in Maryland, and the recent ones in New Jersey and Delaware, there have been raids in laceName u2:st="on">laceName w:st="on">New CastlelaceName>laceName> laceType u2:st="on">laceType w:st="on">CountylaceType>laceType>, which led to the arrests of women from New York, New Jersey, and Philadelphia. Police also raided a brothel in Elmhurst, Delaware.

These raids were prompted by tips from nearby residents who noticed indicators of a brothel such as large volumes of men frequenting the locations, and large numbers of discarded condoms in the area. Police surveillance of the brothels then began. Police noted that a blue or red light was displayed near the house to indicate the hours it was open for business. When police finally raided the brothels, they found young women, who's ages couldn't be determined because they lacked any legal documents. They were also unable to determine if these women, mostly Mexicans and afraid of retribution, were being forced to work as sex slaves. The police also found lots of lingerie, high heeled shoes, "feminine products", and "tons of condoms". In interviewing the prostitutes and operator police discovered that typically, clients paid $30 for 15 minutes with one of the girls. Of this, the girls kept about $10 to $13, and were expected to pay for condoms, "other job essentials", board, and travel expenses.

Analysis:
At this point it does not appear that MS-13 is involved with the actual operation of brothels, at least not these brothels. Gang members, however, likely know of their existence and location and would likely be interested in either robbing them as you saw in the Maryland brothel, or charging them "rent" or "protection" fees, as has been the pattern of operation for gangs in the past. The most interesting items in this article are the brothel indicators that are exposed such as large numbers of discarded condoms, high volume of male visitors to a residence, and red or blue lights. These are useful indicators for those interested in launching enforcement operations.