Arrests at Venetian Macau linked to alleged prostitution

Macau police on Thursday arrested more than 100 alleged prostitutes that were reportedly operating out of the Venetian Macau.

Also arrested were 22 suspected members of a prostitution syndicate that reportedly controlled the women. Many of the women arrested were described as illegal immigrants.

According to The Standard, a Chinese newspaper, Macau police raided the hotel in the early morning hours after placing the Venetian under surveillance Wednesday.

A Macau police investigator told the newspaper the case is still under investigation by the Gaming and Economic Crimes Investigation Department.

The Venetian Macau is owned by Las Vegas Sands Corp. Spokesman Ron Reese said "the company will work with the authorities in any way possible."

A member of Macau's Legislative Assembly said this was the first anti-prostitution operation taken at a large Macau hotel-casino.

The representative said illegal prostitution was occurring at the Grand Lisboa, one of the Macau casinos owned by Hong Kong billionaire Stanley Ho.