Arlington police arrest two club managers, seize drugs and $13,000 during Operation Safe Stage sex trafficking bust.
ARLINGTON, Texas — Arlington police have arrested two managers and disrupted what investigators describe as a well-organized sex trafficking operation at a strip club following a months-long investigation.
The Arlington Police Department announced Tuesday that “Operation Safe Stage” resulted in multiple arrests at Chicas Locas, located at 2711 Majesty Drive, during an undercover operation conducted Oct. 23.
“This is a very well-organized criminal enterprise,” said Sgt. Tarik Muslimovic of the department’s Human Exploitation and Trafficking Unit.
Police arrested Oziel Ramos, 25, and Ariel Tapia, 40, both managers at the club, on warrants for aggravated promotion of prostitution.
Investigation details
The investigation began in August the HEAT Unit received reports that employees were performing illegal sex acts on customers in exchange for money, with proceeds distributed among the business’s managers, Muslimovic said. There were also reports of narcotics sales at the club.
Undercover detectives and agents from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission conducted surveillance at the business, gathering evidence that led to search and arrest warrants.
The Oct. 23 operation involved the Tarrant County Human Trafficking Task Force, TABC, Arlington police SWAT officers, K9 units, and multiple other law enforcement divisions. The city’s Fire Marshal’s Office and Health Department documented code violations, according to Arlington Police.
During the operation, officers recovered drug paraphernalia and nearly $13,000 in cash. Two additional arrests were made: Oscar Escobar, 28, on outstanding misdemeanor warrants, and Alejandro Hernandez, 50, for unlawful carrying of a weapon and drug-related charges.
Victim advocacy efforts
Representatives from victim advocacy organizations Rescue Hill, Rescue Her, Traffic 911 and TABC Victim Services were on scene to assist potential victims and provide information about available resources.
Amanda Pettit with Rescue Hill said advocates are working to reach the women who worked at the establishment.
“A lot of times the women are not going to make what we consider an outcry in that moment,” said Pettit. “We did have some of those.”
Ongoing investigation
Police said the investigation remains ongoing, with additional arrests expected. The department is working with city officials to explore civil enforcement actions against the business, including potential license revocations.
The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission is also weighing penalties on the business license. Despite the arrests, the business remains open. Attempts to reach the business owner for comment were unsuccessful.
“Human trafficking is one of the true evils of our society,” said Chief of Police Al Jones. “It has no place in our communities. We and our partner agencies sent a strong message that human trafficking has no place in Tarrant County, and we will use every resource available to go after those who commit this heinous crime.”
Jones emphasized that no single agency can tackle human trafficking alone and thanked partner agencies for their collaboration.