The two Vietnamese and one Chinese national arrested on Tuesday evening will be formally charged today with operating an illegal prostitution business, police said.

The charge carries a seven- to 15-year prison sentence for each suspect.

Police yesterday released the identities of the three accused of running the Mey Long Beauty and Barber Shop as a front for an illegal prostitution ring, naming owner and Chinese national Hong Hokchhay, 53, and Vietnamese nationals Chan Ka, 49 – Hong’s wife and business partner – and broker Pham Thythuthav, 18.

Ten girls, aged between 16 and 20, were rescued during the bust and sent to the municipal rehabilitation centre yesterday for moral education and rehabilitation.

They will be released after completing their education, police said.

The arrest of the three suspects is the second beauty parlour bust by police since they began focusing on salons and cosmetics shops that serve as fronts for prostitution rings.

To contact the reporter on this story: Buth Reaksmey Kongkea at [email protected]