18 Mar 2004

New Caledonia prostitution ring broken up

4:41 pm on 18 March 2004

Police in New Caledonia have jailed two men in connection with the busting of a prostitution ring in Noumea.

The manager and the cashier of a discotheque in Anse Vata are to appear in court in the next few month accused of living on immoral earnings for hiring out women in an annex to their club.

Reports say the women from mainly New Zealand, but also France and Asia, usually stayed in Noumea for three months at the time on visitors visa.

The two are alleged to have charged more than 300 US dollars an hour to have private time with the women.

Prostitution is not against French law but living on immoral earnings can be punished with up to 15 years in jail.