Police Raid 'The Block' in Human Trafficking Investigation: Report

Baltimore Police reportedly raided several strip clubs on “The Block” in connection with human trafficking overnight.

Police and the FBI raided Lust, Diamond Lounge and Chez Joey at approximately 9:30 p.m. Thursday as part of a human trafficking investigation, and authorities remained at the scene Friday morning, according to WBAL.

This was not the first time The Block, a neighborhood of strip clubs on Baltimore Street a block from City Hall, has been linked to human trafficking.

In 2013, ten Baltimore residents were convicted in a trafficking scheme that involved forcing women to strip at clubs including Chez Joey, prostitute themselves afterward and give all their earnings to pimps, according to ABC 2 News.

The Block was most recently raided in March as part of a gang violence investigation. Four people were arrested after police searched strip clubs Norma Jean’s, Chez Joey, Circus Bar, Lust and several residences, according to The Baltimore Sun, which reported drugs, money and ammunition were found.

Pictured, “The Block” on Baltimore Street. Licensed under Public Domain via Wikipedia.