Woman held after 'brothel' raids

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A woman suspected of running an escort agency in London is being held in a crackdown on people trafficking.

The 29-year-old Lithuanian woman was arrested at the agency's headquarters in Brent, north London, on Tuesday.

Two Albanian men are also being held over money-laundering and immigration offences after more than £90,000 was found during raids at 11 properties.

Officers are interviewing 12 females who worked for the agency which advertised on the internet.

Rescue and protect

The Lithuanian woman is being questioned on suspicion of controlling prostitution and money-laundering.

She was arrested at an address in Cumbrian Gardens as officers carried out raids across London at properties thought to have been used as brothels.

A 24-year-old man is being held on suspicion of money-laundering and a 33-year-old man is being questioned on suspicion of immigration offences.

The arrests were part of Operation Pentameter 2 which aims to rescue and protect victims of trafficking and to identify, disrupt and arrest those involved in crime.