GUANGZHOU -- Two former heads of police sub-bureaus are among 23 law enforcers prosecuted for using their power to shield prostitution in Dongguan city, South China's Guangdong province.

Dongguan closes sex-trade saunas

?Aftermath of Dongguan sex raid

After a media expose of the sex trade in hotels in the city in February, the government launched a clean up campaign. Dongguan has a very well established reputation as a center of the illegal sex trade.

Dongguan Procuratorate announced on Monday that the 23 officers including He Cheng, head of Zhongtang Public Security sub-bureau and Deng Jinxiang, head of Huangjiang Public Security sub-bureau, have been prosecuted for providing a "protective umbrella" for the sex trade.

Police have apprehended 3,033 suspects and uncovered 214 gangs since February.

Despite being illegal in China, prostitution is a booming industry in many cities. Prostitution in hotels and entertainment venues in Dongguan was so widespread that the city has the moniker of "sex capital" of China.