The FBI has long known that a favorite way station for "white slavers" and others trafficking in human beings has been Saudi Arabia. Yesterday, ICE agents were called to a diplomatic compound in McLean, VA owned by the embassy of Saudi Arabia where two young Philippine women were "rescued."

NBC Washington:

A case of "possible human trafficking" at a Saudi diplomatic compound in Virginia is under investigation, Homeland Security confirmed to News4.

Agents from U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement/Homeland Security Investigations and Fairfax County police were called to a home in the 6000 block of Orris Street in McLean overnight and, in the words of a source familiar with the investigation, "rescued" two women. One woman reportedly tried to flee by squeezing through a gap in the front gate as it was closing.

It's not clear if the women, who sources say are from the Philippines, called investigators to the home themselves or if someone else did.

"Homeland Security Investigations DC did encounter two potential victims of trafficking and the investigation is ongoing," a D.C.-based spokesman for ICE/Homeland Security investigations told News4.

The investigation is in its very early stages and complicated by the possibility some of those involved may have diplomatic immunity.

While the investigation is in its early stages, it seems likely that at the very least, those two women were being held against their will. There may be another explanation for why they were not allowed to leave - theivery or spying comes to mind - but given the reputation of the Saudis, that isn't likely.

If there are diplomats involved in criminal activity, the usual procedure is to have them quietly leave the country, never to return. I doubt we'll hear more on this story - or if other girls and women were held at the compound before being whisked out of the country.