A JOINT operation between police, immigration officials and a specialist anti-loan shark unit has raided a suspected brothel in St Judes.

Two Thai women were arrested at a block of flats in Knighton Road, shortly after 9am yesterday.

Officers wearing protective clothing used a battering ram to force open the door at the address in Park View, before a thorough search of the flat was carried out.

A 'cash dog' trained to sniff out money was also brought into the premises as the two women – one still in her pyjamas – were handcuffed and placed in separate rooms. A red Ford Ka parked outside flat 32 at Park View was also searched and a disability Blue Badge permit in the name of a man was seized.

Members of the newly formed South West Illegal Money Lending Team (IMLT), based in Bristol, took part in the action, codenamed Operation Willow, which also saw another property raided.

The IMLT staff, accompanied by police, searched an address in Penlee Place, Mutley, seizing a number of items including financial documentation, diaries and ledgers which contained names, addresses and financial records.

Investigators say they also seized a quantity of cash at the two premises.

The two women – aged 31 and 37 – were later taken to Charles Cross police station where they were questioned via an interpreter.

Following the second raid at the Mutley address, plain clothes officers arrested a 47-year-old man at Bretonside bus station at around 4pm.

It is understood he had travelled from Heathrow Airport having just returned from an international business trip to the Far East.

The 47-year-old was arrested on suspicion of money laundering offences and offences under the Consumer Credit Act.

A spokesman for Plymouth police said: "These arrests have come about from information received from the community.

"We want local residents to know that we will take action on the intelligence they pass on to us."

Anyone with information about the suspected brothel should call police on 08452 777444 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 quoting police log number 88 of 4/3/09.