Happy endings continue

MASSAGE parlours believed to be operating as shop fronts for illegal prostitution are likely still operating despite raids earlier this week.

On Wednesday seven Gold Coast massage parlours were raided in Southport, Mermaid Beach, Burleigh Waters and Mudgeeraba. Three were raided in Nerang, including one believed to be on Station St.

But police say until the investigation has been finalised, massage parlour operators caught in the crackdown will still be allowed to trade.

“You don’t need a licence for a massage parlour, you just tell council it’s a massage parlour,” Detective Inspector Lance Vercoe of the Drug and Serious Crime Group said.

This is despite police footage appearing to show a client laying seemingly naked on a table while a massage therapist stands beside him with her pants down.

During the operation, Australian Border Force officers involved talked to a Malaysian woman and a Taiwanese woman, both believed to be in breach of their visa conditions.

“There’s a number of people that we’ve identified in situations suggesting prostitution activity occurring,” Det Insp Vercoe said.

“We seized documents ... computer equipment, mobile phones. There was lots of scientific work done around biological samples.”

Det Insp Vercoe said once illegal activities had been found to have occurred, council could cancel their permit. They would then have to take out a different permit for a brothel.

Cr Peter Young said he had complained about the Station St massage parlour in Nerang several months ago and was happy police had taken action.