KATHMANDU: Police busted an internet-based prostitution racket operating in the Valley yesterday.

SP Nawa Raj Silwal, in charge of Metropolitan Police Range Hanumandhoka, today said a special intelligence unit had held five persons including Sangita Shrestha (35), hailing from Birgunj, for their alleged role in the illegal activity.

Pimp Shrestha's involvement in operating a sex website www.nepalsexguide.com and soliciting the clients, both Nepalis and foreigners, dates back to three years. "She used to give her telephone number and e-mail address to prospective clients," informed SP Silwal.

The meeting junction of the flesh traders, aged between 13 to 33, and the clients was said to be 5-star hotels in the Valley. The arrested sex workers have been identified as Jyoti Rai (18) of Itahari, Mamata Prasin (19) of Jhapa and Rubi Singh Thakuri (22) of Nepalgunj. All of them were living in the capital city. Thakuri was undergoing a training for air hostess.

SP Silwal said the arrested clients were Mohan Dhakal (33), hailing from Sundarijal- 8, and Dik Bahadur Khatri (33) from Gothatar-1 in Kathmandu. Dhakal is the operator of NN Manpower company. Further investigation into the case was in progress to find out their links with people and organisations, police said.