The Judiciary Police (PJ) arrested on Monday two more suspects – a civil servant and a restaurant manager – in a 12-million-pataca prostitution ring which was busted last February, PJ spokesman Lou Chan Fai said at a special press conference yesterday morning.
Lou said that the 58-year-old suspect surnamed Ng has been a civil servant since 1992. The Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ) said in a statement yesterday that Ng works in the bureau, adding that Ng has been placed on temporary suspension and disciplinary proceedings have been launched to follow up on the case.
Lou identified the other suspect as a 38-year-old local restaurant manager surnamed Ku.
According to Lou, the Judiciary Police busted a criminal gang which operated a website to advertise prostitution services and attract sex clients last February. After investigation, the police identified two more suspects, Ng and Ku, as the “moderators” of the website. They were arrested separately in their flats on Monday.
Under questioning, both suspects admitted to the crime and said that they were tasked with “moderating” the discussion forums of the website, such as setting up regulations for forums and banning users over violations.
Ng confessed that he had been part of the syndicate for 10 years, adding that he had received “several” remunerations of 500 to 800 patacas each time. Both suspects said they know the syndicate’s mastermind surnamed Ao Ieong, who was arrested last year, and he persuaded them to work for the gang, but they refused to reveal the total amount of money Ao Ieong had paid them over the years.
Ng and Ku were transferred to the Public Prosecutions Office (MP) yesterday, facing charges of organised crime and controlling prostitutes.
While prostitution is not illegal in Macau, controlling prostitutes is.
Judiciary Police (PJ) officers escort the hooded suspects from the PJ headquarters to a PJ vehicle yesterday. – Photos: William Chan
Electronic devices seized from the two suspects are displayed in a pressroom of the Judiciary Police (PJ) headquarters yesterday.
