Thirty-two persons, including two Police Sergeants, have been arrested by the ICAC in an operation commencing Monday (May 3) night for alleged corruption in providing information on police action against vice establishments in Mongkok.

Also arrested in an operation code-named " Sunbird " were four suspected operators and five keepers of four vice establishments, as well as 11 of their associates.

As part of the operation, 10 women, including three holders of Vietnamese passports and seven holders of Mainland two-way permits, were also apprehended at three vice establishments for suspected illegal prostitution activities and breach of conditions of stay in the SAR.

The ICAC investigation arose from information referred by the Police and given by members of the public, that unidentified police officers might have corruptly provided assistance to vice den operators in Mongkok.

The two Police Sergeants are alleged to have accepted monthly payments from a number of operators and keepers of vice establishments in the district in return for providing information of possible police enforcement action.

The Police has rendered full assistance to the ICAC during the investigation.

Assistance has also been obtained from the Immigration Department in respect of those arrested women suspected to have breached their conditions of stay in the SAR.

Inquiries are continuing.