New fantasy closed again!

[iloveu21222]

Copied from A M Costa Rica:

New fantasy catered to expats
Cops raid two prostitution businesses in city
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff
Police raided two sex operations late Wednesday, and the man in charge said this is the beginning of a crackdown on such businesses.

The man, Paul Chavez, credited Internet Web pages for helping provide evidence in the case. He is director of the Centro de Información of the Fuerza Pública. Despite its non-threatening name, this is the unit that handles certain complex cases.

Raided was New Fantasy on Avenida 9, Barrio Amon, and La Bella Mansión on Avenida 11 between calles 1 and 3.

Some 65 officers participated in the twin raids. Although a report from the Ministerio de Gobernación, Policía y Seguridad Pública said the 15 female prostitutes were liberated, Chavez said his men were met with considerable hostility from the women.

Two persons were arrested, one at each location. At New Fantasy, the administrator, a woman identified by the last name of Suazo, was detained for six months preventative detention. At La Bella Mansión, a man with the last name of Carballo was detained, officials said.

The report by officials said that the operations were under the same ownership and that three more persons are being sought. Police said that both operations catered to foreigners. That certainly is the case with New Fantasy, a popular spot for
vacationing North Americans, but La Bella Mansión where a prostitute could be engaged for 5,000 colons ($11.30), has been described by expats here as a place frequented by mostly Costa Ricans.
Chavez said that a million colons were confiscated in the raids. That’s about $2,270. He estimated that the businesses collected 14,000 colons ($32) from customers and handled about 70 customers a day.

Chavez said that the raids were a result of citizen complaints and followed a six-month investigation. He said he realized that there were similar operations in downtown San José but no complaints had been filed on these.

Chavez said all the women in the establishments were adults. Prostitution is not prosecuted in Costa Rica, but pimping is punishable by prison.

New Fantasy, which has been open about a year, was closed down by the Municipalidad de San José Jan. 16 but it reopened a short time later. The problem then was described as one of paperwork.

Chavez said that the Policía Municipal and his unit soon will meet to plot a course of action. They are concerned about the sex tourism generated by international advertising of these establishments.

New Fantasy was bold in promoting its operation. In addition to Web pages, an agent circulated through the downtown handing out business cards to likely looking prospects. He even did so on the pedestrian boulevard in the heart of the capital.

 

[sinking_into_darkness]

The part of the story that says that the investigator claimed that the Internet pages were very helpful in making the case against NF is very troubling. Does this mean that we are putting these places that we frequent in harms way by talking about them? Is our other favorite going to be next? If so,are we and that other web site responsible?

 

[Tessa]

New fantasy closed again!

Some comments on some of the info reported in this article:

Police raided two sex operations late Wednesday, and the man in charge said this is the beginning of a crackdown on such businesses.

I'm a little confused because, while I'm sure the sex angle cerainly made them attractive targets from a PR perspective, I read elsewhere that drugs and/or moneylaundering was the issue and of course the NF has had regulatory problems before. Perhaps someone could clarify this as it would have some bearing on how likely other MP's are to be hit next. Of course, putting it in some perspective, we've all heard threats of upcoming crackdowns (or actual ones) before and yet the Gulch seems to be thriving more than ever. Maybe this time it is more serious (it was certainly more dramatic) but I have my doubts.

The man, Paul Chavez, credited Internet Web pages for helping provide evidence in the case.

Of course, we should be careful what we say here but if the police really needed evidence so badly all they had to do was to visit these places themselves. Anything we post here is really just hearsay evidence anyway.

Chavez said all the women in the establishments were adults. Prostitution is not prosecuted in Costa Rica, but pimping is punishable by prison.

This may be splitting hairs but personally I've always handed my cash to the girl and whatever arrangement she has with the establishment is between her and it. That maybe just skirting the issue of pimping, but it seems to have satisfied the authorities up until now. Why the crackdown now? Or is this just a passing politcal fade to appease certain citizen constiuencies?

Although a report from the Ministerio de Gobernación, Policía y Seguridad Pública said the 15 female prostitutes were liberated, Chavez said his men were met with considerable hostility from the women.

If the purpose of CR's rules against pimping is to prevent exploitation of women they are certainly barking up the wrong tree as these women definitely don't seem to feel exploited.

Chavez said that the raids were a result of citizen complaints and followed a six-month investigation. He said he realized that there were similar operations in downtown San José but no complaints had been filed on these

I also saw where there may be some issue of business competition here. Was the complaint really by a private citizen who may target other businesses next or was it by a rival "sex" operation with more political pull. Such things would not surprise me from what I know about the CR business community. Also, if this was really part of a crackdown on international sex tourism and the "bad" image CR gets on the internet, why did they also go after the Bella Mansion which caters mostly to Ticos?

I also can't placing another little dig, which is where are all the CRS'ers going to go now that their favorite MP is shut down? Are they going to eat their words and walk down the street to the ZB, that they have been bashing, and try to get the CRT discount?

New Fantasy was bold in promoting its operation. In addition to Web pages, an agent circulated through the downtown handing out business cards to likely looking prospects. He even did so on the pedestrian boulevard in the heart of the capital.

Other MP's may be next, particularly if some private citizen complains, but the article also alludes to factors that may have made NF more susceptible. The lesson here is that these places (and us "mongers" for that matter) should try to keep a low public profile. There was a recent thread about spotting the monger and to me it is amusing, but personally I don't like to be so easily pegged. Others speak of never feeling any "walk of shame". But I usually prefer to keep a low profile, at least when there are civie's around, because there is already enough heat on our hobby without drawing any more attention to it (by those who seem incapable of understanding it).

 

[MichaelInScarborough]

NF closed

no fish ever got caught with it s mouth closed. there is far too much info on this board,which is read by who knows who. think first before you post. the world is listening. this applies to especially to the braggerts, keep a low profile and will still be mongering as i am at 71. take a lesson from the mafia, drive a chevy and keep out of the newspapers. what happens in sjo stays in sjo... got it?[/u]

 

[Whancysoync]

unfortunately this is politics as usual in latin america. it is a never ending cycle of the double standard between image of morality and the quiet acceptance of what one does in the dark without judgement. Sure, there is a campaign going on against sex tourism by immigration, Pacheco administration and probably even other establishments that make money on the working girls themselves. IN the end, money will be exchanged, or the place will close and open up elsewhere. Lawyers will once again fight to uphold the laws on EACH side...so only THEY will win. Prosititution has been illegal in most of the US for decades and centuries...but there is still plenty to go around. No one panic here...its a temporary adjustment...

 

[aaahyeaaa]

It does seem rather coincindental that the two places that were raided, while blocks apart, who catered to different customer demographics and with similar establishments in the same neighborhood, are owned by the same people.

Very curious indeed.

 

[gnezpuvcixkitcerp]

Seems rather interesting that both places were run by the same person.
Sounds to me like not enough "Tea" money was given out. The term "Tea" meaning kick back. Though I have seen in my own home town where complaints by citizens have shut places down. I recall a little over 18 months ago, we had 5 "massage parlors" in my town, 6 months after the authorities said they would shut the places down, after several religious groups in town filed complaints, they were all closed, and remain closed to this day. I really miss my weekly or semi-weekly visits to see my favorite Sunshine.
I really hope that this is not the start of a trend in CR.
ShyOne

 

[blobblob49]

Not to start a political discussion but I was surprised W Bush highlighted sex tourism as one of the reason Fidel Castro is a bad man. I hope the world sex trade isn't that obvious to our Federal Gmen.

There is talk on the Las Vegas threads of other boards the Casinos may soon have strip clubs, and Mayor Goodman would like a hooker zone again like the old days.

 

[xtiffaaany]

I talked to one of the NF girls last night who explained that there was a 17 yr old, 3 months shy of her 18th, who was caught working there. THIS is the main reason they were shut down. There is 0, zero, zilch tolerance for this here these days and this was the only LEGAL way they could shut down NF and their sister club Bella Mansion. What a STUPID business move. Anybody want to buy a massage parlor? :twisted:

 

[red top]

T'man:

Do you know if one of the persons arrested was Ariana - they only listed the persons last name and I only know her by her first name. I know that she also managed Bella Mansion for a time and then I heard she went back to NF. It would be a shame if she was arrested as she is basically a nice person.

I have to agree that it was incredibly stupid of either place to hire a girl who was not yet 18 if indeed that is what happened.

 

[what da sam heck?]

Easy,
I believe the reprot said non of the girls were arrested since prostitution is legal. It is pimping that is not allowed. And those arrested were most likely management figures.

TMan,
Just out of curiousity was the und***ge girl that your NF friend told you about working at NF or the Bella, or was there more than one? I agree that this was either very stupid or very careless on the part of management given the currently climate (or even without it). There is 0, zero, zilch tolerance for that type of thing as well there should be. The problem for us the way I see it is that in some circles this may somehow give great credence to the view that und***ge activity in the Gringo market is somehow widespread, which I still believe it isn't.

 

[Erellajutlect]

Prolijo:

Thanks but Arianna was in management and since the article said that "at New Fantasy, the administrator, a woman identified by the last name of Suazo, was detained for six months preventative detention" I was wondering if it was Arianna. I hope not; also 6 months preventative detention sounds really harsh....however perhaps not if there was a minor involved.

I am reminded of the classic film, "Raging Bull" in which Robert DeNiro playing the boxer Jake LaMotta said when arrested for serving a minor in his club, "Damn, she sure didn't kiss like she was 16."

Easy

 

[inilumninkesk]

La Nacion has had it in for NF for a year. My guess is that the real reason is NIMBY. NF is on the same block as a former president's house, so they had rich neighbors. Many places have been accused of und***ge girls over the years, though it usually isn't true. Hopefully none of us want anybody und***ge working, since it could cause trouble for the rest of us.

 

[Actual Answer VPD]

yes,,,,,,

I love this part.....

15 female prostitutes were liberated, Chavez said his men were met with considerable hostility from the women.

 

[Jay T (UK)]

The man, Paul Chavez, credited Internet Web pages for helping provide evidence in the case

.

Ironic how the boasting and bs here has closed their own place.

Flander Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2004 7:05 pm Post subject: NF closed
no fish ever got caught with it s mouth closed. there is far too much info on this board,which is read by who knows who. think first before you post. the world is listening. this applies to especially to the braggerts, keep a low profile and will still be mongering as i am at 71. take a >esson from the mafia, drive a chevy and keep out of the newspapers. >what happens in sjo stays in sjo... got it?

.


How well said.

What you don't think OIJ can't read in english??