Cops rob 24-hour immigrant-run brothel in New York’s notorious ‘Market of Sweethearts’

NYPD officers raided an immigrant-run brothel in New York City on Wednesday night, according to government officials.

According to the New York Post, the raid took place at an immigrant-run brothel in the infamous “Market of Sweethearts” — a main street along Roosevelt Avenue in Queens that is notorious for its rampant prostitution.

“But there’s prostitution everywhere. It’s ridiculous. It’s disgraceful.”

The raid was conducted by officers from the vice squad and the 110th precinct. According to law enforcement, prostitutes and clients were arrested during the raid.

“This brothel was the worst. It’s open 24 hours a day,” Hiram Monserrate, Democratic Party district leader in Queens, told the Post.

Monserrate noted that the sex workers are illegal immigrants who are forced into prostitution to pay off debts of up to $50,000 to human traffickers.

“The migrant crisis has contributed to crime — the large number of people who have come here in a short time. Some of them are part of organized crime rings,” Monserrate added.

The news outlet highlighted that immigrants in the sex industry solicit customers on busy streets, while drugs and stolen goods are sold on the sidewalk during the day.

Mirella Gutierrez, co-owner of a pharmacy on Roosevelt Avenue, said, “But there’s prostitution everywhere. It’s ridiculous. It’s disgraceful.”

According to Guiterrez, her business is suffering because customers feel “threatened” by the prostitutes and vendors who sell stolen goods.

In New York City, prostitution is a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by up to 90 days in jail.

In January, the NYPD announced it had shut down a dozen brothels posing as massage parlors in the Market of Sweethearts in Queens, citing “inhumane conditions” during a weeklong operation.

However, the Post reported that a day after the raids, sex workers were seen trying to recruit potential clients.

In an exclusive Blaze News report, it was revealed that the violent Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua has infiltrated the United States in unknown numbers, targeting desperate immigrants. Tren de Aragua is actively expanding its transnational criminal empire through kidnapping, extortion, and human trafficking.

Tren de Aragua reportedly forces women into prostitution to pay off debts to traffickers. If they refuse, the gang members reportedly threaten to kill their relatives in Venezuela.

In October 2021, Mayor Eric Adams declared that under his leadership, New York City would remain a sanctuary city and welcome undocumented immigrants.

However, the Democratic mayor has changed his stance on illegal immigration after New York City was hit by an immigrant crisis.

In August 2023, Adams warned that the influx of illegal immigrants would cost New York City an estimated $12 billion over the next three years.

Adams also stated that the Big Apple is “past the breaking point” due to a “broken immigration system.”

As Blaze News reported in November 2023, Adams admitted that the influx of Venezuelan immigrants had contributed to the increased number of prostitutes in New York City. However, Adams claimed that the women are turning to prostitution because they cannot find legal work.

Last month, Adams called for changes to the laws of the sanctuary city of New York because of several serious crimes committed by immigrants.

“What we need to change is those who are repeat violent offenders,” Adams said. “After they serve their time, they need to be turned over to ICE and removed from our city.”

Blaze News previously reported that more than 60% of suspects arrested in Queens are illegal immigrants.

Since the spring of 2022, more than 210,000 illegal immigrants have arrived in New York City in August.

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