The Ministry of Home Affairs has announced that a total of 44 women, who are all foreign nationals, were “rescued” during a trafficking in persons operation at the Red Dragon night club in Georgetown.

The women were removed from the club and placed in protective care following an early Monday morning raid. The popular club is known for employing local and foreign exotic dancers.

But the Home Affairs Ministry is claiming that it received reports of possible trafficking in persons.

The Guyana Police Force has since launched an investigation into the allegations of trafficking and other forms of exploitation and abuse.

Additionally, during the raid, law enforcement officials discovered a .32 Taurus pistol and eight rounds of ammunition on the premises.

The Home Ministry said it will provide further updates as they become available and warned that along with the Guyana Police Force, Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, and other anti-trafficking in persons stakeholders, it will continue to engage the public and monitor such establishments.

Guyana remains on a US State Department watchlist as a country where trafficking in persons takes place.

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