HOUSTON -- Without warning, the Houston Police Department’s Vice Division paid a visit to one of Houston's biggest sexually oriented businesses, and arrested nearly a dozen women on charges of prostitution.

For weeks undercover officers posed as customers at Treasures, building cases on these suspects who allegedly approached them selling sex.

“I want the owners of these places and their employees to know that we could be in any one of their clubs on any given day or night,” said Capt. Glen Yorek of the vice squad.

In fact, Yorek says an entire unit within HPD Vice focuses on these type of adult entertainment businesses.

“But we also have another squad that we consider general vice that are going into the clubs and looking for illegal operations prostitution and what not,” said Yorek.

In August, HPD raided the Penthouse Club on Winrock after undercover officers there said employees were selling drugs.

A decade ago, the city council passed a comprehensive ordinance regarding locations and conduct of sex businesses.

Until recently, the ordinance was tied up in federal court. This ordinance could shut down the vast majority of Houston's sexually oriented businesses.

“We've been basically given the green light to go ahead now and we are going forward in looking at these clubs,” said Yorek.

Working with the Harris County District Attorney's Office,  HPD plans to make sure these businesses are in compliance. And if not, Yorek suspects some will be forced to shut down.