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Two arrested for running prostitution, drug rings on Telegram

Mariyath Mohamed
14 March 2024, MVT 11:25
Image changed after police seized the Telegram channel in question.
Mariyath Mohamed
14 March 2024, MVT 11:25

Two arrests have been made in relation to organized crime networks being conducted via Telegram channels.

Illegal activities that the channels are involved in include drug dealing, money laundering and prostitution.

Police said that the arrests were made in their investigation into a case where they had information that individuals were engaging in multiple major crimes through telegram groups and channels since last April.

Through their investigations, police identified and arrested a 28 year old male and a 39 year old female.

The telegram groups and channels being run by these two individuals were Jazeera Admin, Jazeera Girls, Jazeera Escort Gallery, Jazeera Scam Alert, and Jazeera Link News.

All these have now been seized by the police.

Police further said that an operation undertaken by their Cyber Policing Centre in this investigation saw the search and investigation of four locations related to the case. A number of items have been seized from these locations and are currently undergoing forensic investigations, they said.

Police said that the arrested individuals are being charged with money laundering, drug trafficking, prostitution, solicitation, production of pornography and distribution of pornography.

Police also revealed that investigations of the suspects' financial transactions indicate amounts far higher than what can be generated through their work.

When taken to court, they were first given five days remand in custody. Yesterday they were taken back to court as the five day period had ended, and had received another 30 days remand in custody.

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