16 foreign prostitutes nabbed

JAKARTA: Immigration officers arrested 16 foreign women at several hotels and cafes for abusing their visas and working as prostitutes in Jakarta.

Spokesman at the ministry of justice immigration directorate general Ade Endang Dahlan said here on Friday that his office had carried out a number of raids on expatriates since Oct. 29 in hotels and other suspect buildings in the city.

He was quoted by Antara as saying that the raids were conducted following reports from residents about their presence.

According to him, their existence may have been related to a syndicate that arranged their entry to the country.

After being questioned, they will be deported to their respective home countries.--JP