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Police have smashed a vice syndicate suspected in providing sexual services to local foreigners and arrested nine Filipino women in a Wan Chai club early this (September 3) morning.
The Police's Organized Crime and Triad Bureau (OCTB) received intelligence that a vice syndicate active in Wan Chai area was suspected in connection with recruiting Filipino girls from Philippines to work as domestic helper in Hong Kong, but were subsequently seduced into prostitution.
OCTB officers mounted an undercover operation "Zonecleaner" at the end of last month to identify the core members of the syndicate and the trafficking victims.
The officers raided a private club in 460 Jaffe Road, Wan Chai and a nearby residential unit early this morning.
Police arrested four Filipino women, aged between 26 and 47 for trafficking in persons to Hong Kong for sexual purpose and managing a vice establishment.
Five other Filipino women, aged from 24 to 29, suspected working in the private club were also arrested for breach of condition of stay.
All the arrested persons are still being detained for further investigation.
According to Police statistic, there were only four cases of human trafficking in 2007 and one in 2008. There is no evidence that Hong Kong is either a destination for human trafficking or a place of origin for exporting illegal migrants.
A Police spokesman said, " But we will continue to be vigilant and maintained closed liaison with foreign consulates and other law enforcement agencies both in Hong Kong and overseas to tackle such illegal activities.
Police Report No. 1
Issued by PPRB
Ends/Thursday, September 3, 2009
Issued at HKT 07:34
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