Vice cops raid brothel

A Korean prostitution ring was broken up by Queens Vice on June 2. Operating out of a two-family home located at 151-04 Bayside Avenue in a quiet, tree-lined neighborhood of Flushing, the brothel involved four girls allegedly working as prostitutes, and one “madam.” According to Captain Michael Ameri, Commanding Officer of Queens Vice, the investigation began on May 24 based on a community complaint alerting the police to the location.
“The community was definitely upset about it,” he said. “We haven’t had any issues in the past in that particular area of Flushing.”
After nine days of surveillance, during which various males and females were observed going in and out of the house — which was kept dark with heavy curtains on the windows — Vice made its move.
Undercover officers posing as customers entered the location, at which point the madam allegedly offered them their choice of girls for $200 in cash.
The transaction was never completed.
At 8:45 p.m. on June 2, Vice moved in, arresting Sun Hee Choi, 36, Jenny Lee, 31, Sun Woo Lee, 27, Yinsi Pial, 28, and Soon Hu Park, 57.
Ameri told The Queens Courier that $650 in cash was recovered in the home, along with video cameras (used for surveillance), an appointment book, business cards and condoms.
“It was set up like a spa,” said Ameri.
The four girls were charged with prostitution; Park was charged with promoting prostitution.
None of the five had been arrested previously.
Ameri said that Vice will follow up at the location to see if the brothel is still up and running or if it has moved to another spot.
“These places are very transient,” he said. “They stay in the location for a while and then they’ll either move or we’ll bust them. It’s a little bit of an issue in the Asian community.”
According to Ameri, the number of prostitution rings is down.
“They’re on the downswing because of enforcement and working with the community,” he said. “With the community’s help we’ve been alerted and been able to break them up.”
If you observe suspicious behavior in your neighborhood, Ameri suggests calling 3-1-1 or your local precinct.