Nettles after TABC closure of north Houston bar: 'Prostitution is one of the leading indicators of even more serious organized criminal activity'

A bar on Houston's north side sits shuttered after the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) ordered it closed over workers' allegations of human trafficking and prostitution, according to a report from Houston CBS affiliate KHOU. TABC officials revoked the liquor license of Las Vegas Night Club at 12629 W. Hardy Rd., KHOU reported.

Several arrests have also been made in connection with the purported violations, the report said.

“Prostitution is one of the leading indicators of even more serious organized criminal activity, including human trafficking," TABC Executive Director Bentley Nettles said in a statement. "TABC will continue to actively investigate and put a stop to any criminal activity taking place in the businesses we license.”

According to the station, TABC’s Special Investigations Unit conducted interviews with numerous women who allegedly worked at the establishment.

The workers told investigators that their superiors ran the bar like a "brothel," per KHOU.

The commission said that it is offering assistance to all purported victims of human trafficking.

Houston ABC affiliate KTRK reported that Las Vegas Night Club was initially ordered to cease all alcohol service and sales for 90 days but was ultimately issued an order junking its liquor license.

The bar's closure and permanent suspension of license is mandated under Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code Section 11.61, according to the station.

According to the Crime Stoppers of Houston's website, human trafficking is defined as "the use of force, fraud or coercion to [obtain] some type of forced labor, commercial sex or both."

At least 250,000 individuals fall victim to human sex trafficking nationwide annually, with 25% of girls and around 17% of boys projected to be sexually exploited before their 18th birthdays, the website said.