Sixty five commercial sex workers and alleged thieves who were arrested by the Kpeshie Police in a swoop for allegedly engaging in prostitution and gathering unlawfully have been fined by an Accra Magistrate Court.
Ten other suspects were acquitted and discharged after providing proof that they lived in the house which was used as a brothel.
The other 65 pleaded guilty and were fined an amount of GH�120.00 each.
They also signed a bond to be of good behaviour after they were charged with soliciting for immoral purpose and unlawful gathering.
Under section 255 of the Criminal Code Act 29 (1960), it is an offence for anyone to stand by the roadside or in an obscure place to smile at the opposite sex and make gestures with the purpose of engaging in prostitution.
Caught in the act
Those arrested were aged between 13 and 32. The suspects were arrested at drinking spots, a brothel and a market.
According to the police, some of the commercial sex workers were arrested while engaging in sex with their male patrons.
Used tissue paper, condoms, various sums of money, mobile phones, shoes and clothes were some of the items retrieved from the suspects.
The Kpeshie Divisional Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mr Victor Gyan-Kyereko, said the operation, which began at 10:30p.m. last week Tuesday, was to rid the area of prostitutes and armed robbers.
Mr Gyan-Kyereko said the exercise was carried out as a result of the numerous complaints residents had made about activities of the prostitutes and robbers in the area.
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