Hong Kong police arrest 68 in prostitution crackdown on Wan Chai, Causeway Bay massage parlours
- Fifty-eight of those detained were alleged sex workers police say largely entered the city illegally from mainland China or Vietnam
- In all, 16 unlicensed massage parlours were raided on Friday, while more than HK$500,000 in cash was seized
Hong Kong authorities have arrested 68 people after raiding 16 unlicensed massage parlours believed to be used for prostitution in Wan Chai and Causeway Bay.
Among those detained were 58 alleged sex workers, aged 19 to 46, who police said largely came to the city illegally from mainland China and Vietnam.
The rest were allegedly key members of three prostitution rings, including a 61-year-old man believed to be responsible for renting the premises, collecting criminal proceeds and paying for utilities and other expenses.
The arrests were made during a sweeping anti-vice operation on Friday, according to Chief Inspector Ho Siu-tung of the Wan Chai district crime unit.
“We seized over HK$500,000 (US$64,000) in local and foreign currency, which we believe was income from the prostitution ring, as well as a large quantity of massage oil, condoms, number books and price lists,” he said at a Sunday afternoon press conference.