Two women, arrested in Phnom Penh for allegedly selling virgins to rich businessmen, will be charged today, according to police.

Keo Thea, chief of Phnom Penh police’s anti-human trafficking and juvenile protection department, said restaurant workers Nou Sreyda, 22, and Ny Sreysar, 32, would face the Phnom Penh Municipal Court accused of human trafficking.

“These two women had organised for young women or students to be sold to rich businessmen,” Thea said, adding that the suspects had been arrested while waiting for clients in the Seng Lip Restaurant, in Daun Penh district’s Wat Phnom commune, about 4pm.

“The two women have been accused of providing illegal prostitution. If they are found guilty, they will face seven to 15 years in prison.”

During the arrests, officers rescued two provincial female students, aged 16 and 22, Thea said.

Police would allege in court that the two accused brokers admitted during questioning that they had trafficked at least 10 young women and girls, most of them virgins and students, to sell to businessmen since 2010, he said.

The accused could not be reached for comment.

The arrests followed that of Chan Sreynuch, 38, the owner of Me Gaza Cosmetic Shop in Daun Penh district, on September 19 for allegedly trafficking five young women.

Sreynuch has since been charged with human trafficking.

To contact the reporter on this story: Buth Reaksmey Kongkea at [email protected]