More than 80 people arrested after investigation into downtown club

A long-term look into illegal activities at a downtown hostess club led to the arrests of 88 people and the discovery of drugs, alcohol and a large amount of cash, police said Wednesday.

Los Angeles Police Department Central Area vice officers concluded a nearly four-month investigation this past Friday into illegal activities at the 907 Club at 9th and Hill streets.

Vice detectives obtained a search warrant from a judge after “developing enough information to believe the business may be a front for prostitution, in violation of labor laws and possibly involved in human trafficking,” police said.

 

 

Undercover officers found that the club was violating overcrowding regulations, lewd acts were being performed and alcohol was being dispensed.

 

Under the permit, the 907 Club was allowed to have no more than 250 patrons. When the raid occurred, more than 400 people were inside the club. The club's conditional use permit strictly prohibited the serving of liquor and prohibited nudity or other adult entertainment.

All those arrested were employees, including 81 women. Seven were booked on charges that included conspiracy to commit prostitution, possession of fraudulent identifications, various gambling violations and violation of the conditional use permits.

 

Officers also seized two bags of cocaine, more than $100,000 in cash, condoms and liquor.

Officers separated the patrons from the employees and management and the patrons were released.

 

Employees and management were taken to the LAPD’s Central Area station and those who had valid identifications were detained and released after booking. The LAPD and Homeland Security agents questioned those who had fraudulent or no identifications.

 

During their investigation, vice detectives learned that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigation agents were already conducting their investigations, police said.

 

The federal agents “were already conducting their own investigation into the potential federal violations involving the creation and use of fraudulent identifications to gain employment status,” police said.

 

The Los Angeles Police Department’s investigation “was not an immigration investigation, but is an on-going criminal investigation,” a statement read.

 

Federal authorities are conducting a separate investigation against the owners and managers of the club, police said.