Hearing delayed in alleged prostitute smuggling

Greg Tuttle

Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2000 | 11:23 a.m.

Five people accused of smuggling Asian women into the United States to be used as prostitutes in Las Vegas and other cities made their first appearance Monday in U.S. District Court, but the hearing was delayed as federal prosecutors requested more time to prepare their case.

The four men and a woman were arrested in Las Vegas late Friday as part of a nationwide crackdown by federal agents in California, Nevada, New York and Minnesota dubbed Operation Jade Blade.

The operation by the FBI, the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service and local police targeted illegal brothels that used as prostitutes Asian women who were smuggled into the country for a fee. The women were expected to pay back their debt by working as prostitutes, according to a federal indictment issued last week.

The women would work for about three weeks in a brothel, then move to another brothel usually in another state, according to federal authorities. It is unknown how many women were forced into prostitution by the ring.

Operation Jade Blade began in March 1998, and centered on the group's activities in Las Vegas. A Southern California woman, Tjui Ha, is accused of organizing the illegal smuggling activity. She was arrested last week and is expected to be transported to Las Vegas to face charges.

A Denver man also has been taken into custody, authorities said.

In Las Vegas, federal agents and Metro Police officers arrested Yuk Ching Liu, 51, Dan Chau, 25, Dat Ming Leung, 40, Ru Xiang Zhao, age unknown and Cindy Tan, 45, during raids in several locations late Friday. Police also served 13 search warrants during the raid that involved dozens of officers.

Lui and Leung allegedly operated brothels out of a Las Vegas apartment complex in the 4000 block of West Twain Avenue since at least December 1998, according to the indictment.

Zhao allegedly worked with Liu and Leung for some time, but then started his own brothel in Las Vegas using Asian women provided through arrangements with Ha. According to the indictment, Zhao paid protection money to Leung and occasionally exchanged women with brothels operated by Leung and Liu.

Cindy Tan allegedly ran the daily operations for the brothels run by Leung and Liu, federal prosecutors said in court records. Tan did not have an attorney during her first court appearance Monday, and U.S. Magistrate Judge Lawrence Leavitt rescheduled her hearing for today.

The four other suspects are scheduled to return to court Wednesday.

All the suspects face charges of conspiracy to commit illegal smuggling and movement of illegal aliens, interstate and foreign movement of women for illegal prostitution, interstate and foreign travel in aid of prostitution and money laundering.