Police have arrested 432 people in an operation to curb triad-related vice activities in Kowloon West.

Co-ordinated by the Organised Crime & Triad Bureau the operation started at 11pm last night. More than 750 officers raided 33 locations and entertainment premises like karaoke bars, nightclubs, cyber cafes and guesthouses.

Eighty-three men and 349 women, aged 16 to 72, were arrested for various offences, including managing a vice establishment, money laundering and soliciting for an immoral purpose.

Among them, 201 were staff, 218 were prostitutes and 13 were core members of a triad-related vice syndicate.

Vice syndicate greatly hindered

The operation greatly hurt the syndicate with undercover officers infiltrating it in August, Chief Superintendent Stephen Fung said.

"Apart from operating nightclubs, karaokes and hourly hotels, the syndicate also engaged in cyber cafes. Due to the Police's stringent enforcement, these cyber cafes gradually closed down," he said.

Investigations show that prostitution services by underage girls, two-way permit holders and new immigrants was provided in the nightclubs and karaokes.

The syndicate also posted newspaper advertisements to recruit receptionists, cashiers and later persuaded those hired to be prostitutes.

Operating 14 vice establishments, the syndicate earned a profit of some $10 million a month.

$45 million in assets frozen

"We have successfully applied the Organised & Serious Crime Ordinance to freeze assets including property, cars and cash valued some $45 million from the syndicate," Mr Fung said, reiterating Police will continue to take stringent enforcement action against any vice-related activity.

The arrested are being detained for enquiries and the operation is continuing.