Aaron Bunch Journalist with Australian Associated Press | Collection of published work | + 61 484 008 119 | abunch@aap.com.au

Aaron Bunch
Qld escort agency raid nets 24 people

Twenty-four people charged with prostitution-linked offences have faced court after police shut down an illegal escort agency on the Gold Coast.

October 30, 2019

Police have busted an illegal Gold Coast escort agency, with 24 people facing a Brisbane court accused of prostitution-linked offences.

Among those to appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Wednesday was Shawn Travis Moy, 47, of Glen Eagle. 

He’s charged with knowingly carrying on the business of providing unlawful prostitution at Coomera from October 2016 to July 2019.

Eighteen men and women charged with engaging in prostitution through an unlawful prostitution business also appeared in the court.

Some pleaded guilty and were fined $400 to $600, but most are due to reappear in the same court in November after their cases were adjourned.

One woman failed to attend court and a warrant has been issued for her arrest.

Police allege the Coomera business was operating under the facade of a legitimate business, with documentation uncovered including employment contracts and worksheets, that led to other arrests in July.

Dubbed Operation Romeo Manoeuvre, the police investigation began in March aiming to disrupt and dismantle networks profiting from illegal prostitution activities.

Senior Sergeant Kevin Groenhuijzen said the outcome was significant as senior figures in the alleged illegal business model had been caught.

During the search, they allegedly also found several mobile phones with contact numbers used in advertising for prostitution services and a computer with software for booking appointments.

Moy is also charged with knowingly participating in the provision of unlawful prostitution at Capabala in June 2015.

His case was adjourned and he was granted bail to reappear in the same court on November 29.

Two other men, aged 26 and 46, were also charged with knowingly carrying on the business of providing unlawful prostitution at the Coomera address.

They’re cases were adjourned and both men were granted bail to reappear in court on November 13 and 22.

Three men charged with obtaining prostitution through an unlawful prostitution business also faced court.

Their matters were adjourned to also reappear in November. 

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