Kochi: In a major operation, the Kochi city police busted a sex racket and arrested 12 people including eight women. The raid was conducted at Moksha Ayurvedic Clinic, a spa based in Kochi on Tuesday evening following a tip-off about the illicit activities.

Praveen, the owner of Moksha Ayurvedic Clinic, and 11 others were apprehended for immoral trafficking. According to the police, Praveen was running the sex racket under the guise of a spa. Sources close to police revealed that the spa had been under their radar for the past three months. Investigations found that Praveen had brought women from various states to the spa and forced them into prostitution. The probe team also discovered that Praveen had amassed approximately Rs 1.68 crore through his illegal business.

The raid on Moksha Ayurvedic Clinic came just hours after the Kadavanthra police arrested two cops for their involvement in a sex racket which operated at a lodge. Speaking to the media, the Kadavanthra Station House Officer (SHO) confirmed that Assistant Sub-Inspector Brijesh and Senior Civil Police Officer Ramesh had profited from the illegal business.

Manorama News reported that Kochi police have decided to intensify actions against sex rackets operating under the guise of various establishments in the city.