NYPD officers carried out a late-night raid on a 24-hour, immigrant-run brothel in Queens’ infamous “Market of Sweethearts,” a hub notorious for rampant prostitution along Roosevelt Avenue. Police arrested both prostitutes and their clients, highlighting the growing link between illegal immigration and organized crime in the area. Many of the sex workers are illegal immigrants, coerced into prostitution to repay debts up to $50,000 owed to human traffickers.
The operation, led by the vice squad and the 110th Precinct, exposed the worsening issue of human trafficking in New York City, fueled by the ongoing migrant crisis. According to Queens district leader Hiram Monserrate, some immigrants are becoming part of organized crime networks, contributing to the rise in criminal activities, including prostitution, drug dealing, and stolen merchandise sales. The “Market of Sweethearts” has become a hotspot, with sex workers openly soliciting business in broad daylight.
Local business owners, like Mirella Gutierrez, co-owner of a pharmacy in the area, have expressed frustration, noting how rampant prostitution and illegal trade have hurt business, as customers feel unsafe. Despite previous police raids earlier this year, including the shutdown of a dozen brothels disguised as massage parlors, the problem persists, with sex workers back on the streets just days after enforcement actions.
The Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, which has infiltrated the U.S., is known for exploiting vulnerable immigrants, forcing women into prostitution under the threat of violence against their families. This gang, expanding its transnational crime network, has further complicated the law enforcement challenge in New York City.
Mayor Eric Adams, who once declared New York a sanctuary city, has since acknowledged the strain the migrant crisis has placed on the city. He estimates the influx of illegal immigrants could cost the city $12 billion over the next three years, exacerbating crime and contributing to the rising numbers of sex workers on the streets. Adams has recently called for adjustments to sanctuary city laws, particularly targeting repeat offenders and advocating for their deportation after serving jail time.
Blaze News also reported that illegal immigrants make up a significant portion of those arrested in Queens, with more than 60% of arrestees estimated to be undocumented. Since spring 2022, over 210,000 illegal immigrants have arrived in New York City, contributing to the growing challenges posed by the migrant crisis.
