Gatineau police have arrested 17 people on prostitution-related charges following a police raid of nine illegal massage parlours Wednesday afternoon.
Police said the raids come after a two-month investigation involving Gatineau and Ottawa police, as well as Canada Border Services which was called in to help identify the suspects.
Thirteen women and four men of Asian origin were arrested in the raids. All are between 30 and 40 years old.
The suspects face charges including holding and working in a common bawdy house and possession of stolen property.
Several of the massage parlours targeted were located on Saint-Joseph Boulevard. The others were on Clarence and H�ron streets.
All 17 suspects are scheduled to appear in Gatineau court Thursday morning.
Police are currently investigating whether the women were brought to Gatineau against their will, which could raise the issue of human trafficking.
