(Image source from: Public toilets converted into brothels in Hong Kong})

Ever heard of brothels operating out of public toilets? The answer for most readers will be 'No'. Hong Kong police have recently raided a shopping mall, where public toilets had been converted into one-room brothels. The prostitutes are from mainland China and were found to be living in tiny "one-woman" brothels converted from toilets in a largely unoccupied shopping mall in Yuen Long district.

Police have closed down the brothels and made dozens of arrests in the raid during the operation, which was being run by triad crime gangs, reported South China Morning Post. The prostitutes used the cramped 150-square-foot blocks as a work-cum-living space. It was located on the second floor of the building.

During the raid at the brothels, police seized a small amount of a drug (ketamine suspected), metal pipes and a knife.

Chief Inspector Law Kwok-hoi while speaking about the raid said that it was the first time that brothels operating out of public toilets were discovered by police. The seven brothels were visited by almost 100 customers each day. The patrons paid HK$250 ($32) for the sex services they received, said Law.

Seven brothels existed in the building and only regular customers were entertained, who gained entry on producing a secret code. Some of the brothels had been converted from office space or empty shops.

(Picture Source: chinafile.com)

(AW: Pratima Tigga)