Four women were taken from Maxime bar in Oranjestad during a judicial operation on Tuesday night, according to local reporting.
The Maxime bar judicial raid was led by Aruba’s Human Trafficking and Smuggling team. A large group of judicial officers secured the area before searching the establishment and vehicles outside.
Search continued for an extended period
Authorities remained at the property while investigators examined the premises. The four women were working at the establishment when they were taken from the scene.
The available report does not say whether the women were detained as suspects, questioned as witnesses or taken into protective care. ArubaNews.ca is therefore not characterizing their legal status beyond what has been reported.
The owner and other people responsible for the bar were not arrested during the operation, according to 24ora.
Reason for investigation not yet disclosed
Authorities have not publicly explained what prompted the operation or whether it followed a tip, complaint or separate investigation. The Public Prosecutor’s Office was contacted by the source publication but did not provide further details at the time.
Police were expected to release additional information. Any official clarification could establish the women’s status, the legal basis for the search and whether the operation will lead to arrests or charges.
Source: Information based on reporting from 24ora English.
