114 people arrested in crackdown on sex workers in Hong Kong’s Yau Ma Tei
- Suspects include more than 100 women visitors from mainland China, Taiwan and Thailand, police say
Hong Kong authorities have arrested 114 people, including more than 100 women visitors from mainland China, Taiwan and Thailand, in a crackdown on street-level sex workers in Yau Ma Tei.
Chief Inspector Lam Yuen-ling of the Kowloon West crime unit said on Monday 10 of those detained, who were rounded up during the 18-day anti-vice operation, were Hong Kong residents.
Eight Hongkongers allegedly acted as lookouts and intermediaries for a vice syndicate by arranging for sex workers to work in subdivided flats in Yau Ma Tei, she said.
“[The middlepeople] also provided sex workers with condoms, lubricants, mouthwash and disposable towels,” Lam added.
“In return, sex workers had to pay rent as well as service fees to them.”
Police carried out the two-phase operation with officers from the Immigration Department from May 27 to 31 and June 11 to 22 after an investigation.
Officers arrested 110 women and four men during the two phases.