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Police had neutralized two vice groups following the arrest of 26 people, six of which were under the age of 18, in an anti-vice operation codenamed "Whalediver" conducted since May.
In order to curb the promotion and arrangement of vice activities through Internet chat rooms, crime officers of Kowloon West Region conducted thorough investigations and raided various locations in the territory last week which led to the arrest of 26 people. Among them, eight men and four women, aged between 14 and 47, were arrested for controlling over persons for purpose of unlawful sexual intercourse or prostitution, living on earnings of prostitution of others, causing prostitution and procurement by threats. The remaining eleven men and three women, aged between 14 and 47, were arrested for soliciting for an immoral purpose.
During the operation, Police had seized a quantity of computers, record books, bank-in slips and mobile phones.
Among the arrested persons, two men, aged 22 and 32, and a 14-year-old girl had already been charged with relevant offences. The 32-year-old man will re-appear at Tsuen Wan Magistratesˇ¦ Courts on August 25 and the others will re-appear at Kowloon City Magistratesˇ¦ Courts on August 19. A 14-year-old boy and a 17-year-old woman had been dealt with by Police Superintendentˇ¦s Discretion. The other arrestees had been released on police bail pending further enquiries.
The operation is still continuing.
Police Report No. 14
Ends/Thursday, July 28, 2011
Issued at HKT 23:35
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