71 people from mainland China detained in separate raids against prostitution and illegal hiring in Hong Kong
- Operations were conducted over a 12-hour span across Cheung Sha Wan, Causeway Bay and Yau Ma Tei
Seventy-one people from mainland China were arrested in three separate operations by Hong Kong authorities against prostitution and illegal employment, police said on Wednesday.
The raids took place in a 12-hour period. Those detained included 26 suspects rounded up at Cheung Sha Wan Wholesale Food Market off Yen Chow Street West at about 2.30am.
Officers from the Police Tactical Unit personnel were deployed for the predawn operation.
The group comprised 24 men and two women who were suspected to be illegal immigrants or overstayers whose two-way permits – mainland travel documents to enter Hong Kong – had expired.
Hong Kong police and customs get new US$21.5 million sea weapon to fight smugglers
At noon, the suspects, aged 19 to 55, were being held for questioning and had not been charged.
On Tuesday afternoon, two anti-vice operations carried out in Causeway Bay and Yau Ma Tei led to the arrest of 45 mainland women.
