Hong Kong police arrest 51 people in crackdown on prostitution syndicate bringing in Thailand, mainland Chinese sex workers

Thirty suspects were handed over to immigration officers while the remaining two were still under custody.

Police and the Immigration Department launched the arrest operation code-named “Cannonshot” from April 8 to 21, with a focus on Temple Street, after the force found street prostitution remained active within the Yau Ma Tei district.

Undercover police discovered the activities after they were solicited on the street by syndicate members who ran the brothels.

The investigation revealed that the syndicate hired women from mainland China and Thailand who worked out of designated subdivided flats, while charging the sex workers a commission of up to 60 per cent for each service.

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“Members of the syndicate also provided the prostitutes with supplies, including condoms, lubricants and disposable towels,” Lai, from the Yau Tsim District Special Duties Squad, said.

A large quantity of condoms, mouthwash and lubricants were also confiscated at the suspected vice establishments.

“The police noticed that the syndicate usually choose Tong Lau buildings as their venues, as those old tenement buildings often had low security and the presence of front and back entrances that facilitated an easy escape,” Lai said.

She added the syndicate also installed a large number of closed-circuit television cameras outside the premises.

“This allows them to keep an eye on the surrounding areas and better prevent law enforcement authorities from carrying out their operations,” she said.

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Lai reiterated that street prostitution activities, especially the organised ones, had a negative impact on the quality of life of nearby residents and were a key target of police enforcement.

In Hong Kong, working as a prostitute is legal, but it is against the law to solicit clients, run a brothel of two or more people, live off the earnings of a sex worker, and control a woman for vice.