2004-10-06 20:05 Police today (October 6) neutralized a highly organised vice syndicate following the arrest of 17 persons, including six core members of the syndicate, in a three-day anti-vice operation codenamed "Backrunner" starting October 4. After nine months' intelligence gathering, police identified and targeted the syndicate. The operation turned overt on October 4 and a total of 47 locations, mainly residential premises in Yau Tsim district were raided. A total of 17 persons comprising five men and 12 women, aged bewteen 21 and 39 were arrested. Investigations revealed that the women were brought from the Mainland by the syndicate to work in various premises as prosititutes in a number of residential buildings in Tsim Sha Tsui and Yau Ma Tei. Their services were advertised on sex websites. Surveillance cameras were installed in the premises and monitored in a control room set up by the syndicate in Tsim Sha Tsui to keep tally of the number of customers as well as to escape detection. The syndicate had been active for over two years and it was believed that over $26 million had been funneled through more than 30 banks held by its members. During the operation, a total of $1,220,000 in cash held by the ringleader was seized. Investigations are still going on. All the arrested persons were being detained for further enquiries. A Police spokesman reiterated that operations of such kind would be conducted on a regular basis to stem out any illegal vice-related activities. 2004-10-06 22:48 Police tonight (October 6) charged a 39-year-old woman with living on earnings of prostitution of others. She was among the 17 persons arrested during a three-day anti-vice operation codenamed "Backrunner" in the Kowloon West region starting October 4. The defendant will appear in Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (October 7). |