Seventeen women were arrested in a New Jersey sting targeted street-level prostitutes, authorities said Thursday.
Passaic County Sheriff Richard Berdnik said a series of complaints from residents in Paterson about prostitution activities in the neighborhood prompted the investigation that culminated in Wednesday's busts.
According to Berdnik, several undercover detectives posed as customers to approach the women and arrested them after they were offered sexual favors in exchange for money.
The arrested women range in age from 19 to 46 and are residents of various New Jersey communities, including Paterson, Clifton, Springfield, Ringwood, Blairstown and Moonachie.
They all face charges of promoting prostitution. One of the women allegedly had 42 packets of heroin on her at the time of her arrest and also faces drug charges, authorities said.
"Prostitution leads to more serious criminal activity including narcotic distribution and helps to co promise the sense of order in a community," said Berdnik. "The large volume of arrest show that prostitution enforcement is an issue that needs to be addressed in a continual basis."
