Raids smash prostitution ring operating in Beijing massage parlors

Beijing police detained 53 people suspected of being involved in prostitution during raids on a chain of massage parlors, the city's public security authority said on Tuesday.

Raids were conducted simultaneously on six Baizixuan foot massage parlors across Chaoyang, Dongcheng, Xicheng and Daxing districts at 10:30 pm on March 29.

More than 160 police officers took part in the operation, which led to the detention of suspected sex workers, people suspected of organizing prostitution and clients, the authority said.

"The action followed reports from residents of employees using these parlors to offer customers prostitutes while providing legitimate massage services," an unnamed police officer said in a statement released on Tuesday.

During interviews, one suspect — identified as Yang, 28 — confessed that he had led fellow villagers from Xihe county, Gansu province, in organizing prostitution services.