Woman gets 27 years in prison for forced prostitution of minor in bar

November 13^th, 2013 (InsideCostaRica.com) The Sarapiqui Criminal Court has sentenced a woman to 27 years in prison for forcing a minor to prostitute herself in a bar.

The 33-year-old woman, identified by the last name Castro, was arrested on March 15^th at the “Alisán” bar in Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui, along with another 30-year-old woman in an operation conducted by the Human Trafficking Section of the Judicial Investigation Organization (OIJ).

The two women, both Nicaraguan nationals themselves, were accused of having brought the 15-year-old girl from Nicaragua to Costa Rica by deception.  The girl was told she would work as a nanny.

Instead, the girl was forced to have sex with bar patrons for ¢10,000 (about $20 USD) and was forced to use various drugs.

Six other minors were also rescued from the bar and were believed to have been trafficking victims as well.

In addition to the minors, a 28-year-old woman was also rescued from the bar.  She told authorities that she was told she would work as a waitress, but was forced to prostitute herself after the women took her identity documents.