Police have found evidence of human trafficking at a shisha bar in the northern part of Antwerp. The establishment must close for at least two months, announced Mayor Bart De Wever (N-VA) on Thursday.
In addition to potential human trafficking for sexual exploitation, security services also reported violations of public safety and health. The premises are located on Sint-Bartholomeusstraat in Merksem.
"During an inspection, the police found five scantily dressed girls in the establishment, including three minors," said De Wever’s office in a press release. The girls were suspected of being used as companions, and some had purses filled with cash.
Behind the bar, police discovered several notes listing daily earnings, which included the names of two of the minor girls with corresponding amounts. One of the minors was registered as missing in the Netherlands and has since been handed over to the Dutch authorities.
The establishment operates as a shisha bar but does not have an operating permit. During the inspection, an illegal doorman was reportedly present. In the basement, several bottles of laughing gas and bags of balloons were found.
