A six-hour operation in Orchard over two days ended with 68 individuals arrested for suspected involvement in vice activities, the police said in a release on Wednesday.

The arrests were carried out at nine public entertainment outlets and at an office in the vicinity of Orchard Road.

The 53 females aged between 19 and 35 were arrested for their suspected involvement in vice activities. In addition, 10 men and five women, aged between 22 and 54, were arrested for suspected involvement as members of a vice syndicate.

Police said preliminary investigations showed that the 53 women, who were employed at the entertainment outlets, were suspected of offering sexual services to patrons. Earnings from these transactions went to the profits of these outlets which were believed to be managed by the remaining 15 subjects.

The business records of the outlets, computers and cash amounting to more than $17,000 in Singapore and foreign currencies were seized during the operation. Investigations are ongoing.

The police said in a statement: "We have no tolerance for vice activities masquerading as legitimate businesses and will spare no effort to bring those persons behind such activities to face the full brunt of the law."