Macau deputy police chief among 26 arrested in prostitution ring bust

Macau's Judiciary Police (PJ) have arrested the deputy head of the Public Security Police (PSP), Leong Heng Hong, 60, along with 25 others in a major bust targeting three prostitution rings. The operation, which took place last week, also saw two active PSP officers and two retired PJ officers detained.

The PJ statement revealed that raids on Friday targeted three sauna venues, five offices, and 23 other locations. Authorities arrested 24 men and two women, aged 39 to 68, comprising residents of Macau, mainland China, and Hong Kong. These criminal syndicates are accused of operating from 2016 to 2024, amassing illegal profits estimated between MOP 230 million and MOP 320 million.

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The three criminal syndicates were found to have engaged in manipulated prostitution from 2016 to 2024 respectively, receiving illegal proceeds ranging from about MOP 230 million to 320 million.

Investigators found that the syndicates offered monthly bribes to law enforcement personnel. Incumbent public security officers allegedly profited at least HKD 470,000 each month, while retired Judiciary Police officers reportedly earned no less than HKD 300,000 monthly. Preliminary findings indicate the rings recruited women from Asia and Eastern Europe.

Twelve suspects, including the PSP officers, have been remanded in custody. Among them are two Hong Kong residents, identified as a sauna shareholder and a sauna worker. The remaining 14 suspects, including the two retired officers, were released under legal restrictions. The case is now with the Public Prosecutions Office for further investigation.

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The aforesaid incumbent personnel of public security forces had profited no less than HKD 470,000 each month, while the two retired Judiciary Police personnel [had profited] no less than HKD 300,000 each month.