A hotel being managed by Hilton has been temporarily shut down by Chinese police who are investigating possible links between hotel staff and a prostitution ring. The hotel is located in the Chongqing municipality in southwest China. China National Radio said that Qinglong Property Development Co, the owner of the hotel, is also being investigated by the authorities because of suspected links to the Chinese underworld and involvement in running a prostitution racket.

The establishment’s reception desk confirmed that the hotel was being temporarily closed for business, but did not make any comment about the police investigation. Guests at the hotel were also seen leaving the premises with bags and suitcases.

One of the receptionists described the closure as being due to unforeseen circumstances, and added that the hotel would be open for business again on July 6. The state press has reported the arrest of 22 people at the hotel in connection with operating a prostitution ring. A report also claimed that 102 suspects had originally been detained by the police.

The news report added that the gang was suspected of being involved in the distribution of illegal drugs as well as prostitution. The raid on the Hilton Hotel is part of an ongoing, wide-ranging police crackdown on mafia related activity in the municipality of Chongqing.

In April, corruption was found to be so widespread that the city’s former number one judicial official was handed the death sentence. A series of trials against Wen Quiang, also formerly a deputy police chief, highlighted just how far the mafia’s influence has spread.