Massachusetts spa manager charged with human trafficking

In Methuen, Massachusetts, police conducted an undercover investigation leading to the shutdown of the Beauty Garden Spa. The owner, Suping Zhu, 38, was arrested and charged with multiple offenses, including trafficking women for sexual acts. Complaints from a neighbor regarding suspicious activities at the spa, such as men entering and leaving at all hours and women being dropped off with suitcases, prompted the investigation. Inside the spa building, authorities discovered living quarters for two women in the basement, who appeared to be victims of human trafficking. The investigation revealed that the women did not speak English and were being held against their will. Following the arrest, Mayor D. J. Beauregard declared a 'war on human trafficking,' emphasizing the city's zero-tolerance policy towards illegal operations. This incident was part of a broader police crackdown on illicit activities, which also resulted in the closure of Eastern Bodywork Therapy, another spa suspected of human trafficking. There are concerns regarding similar operations in the city, and police are working to identify other potential trafficking fronts, including searching for a co-manager. As the situation develops, local authorities remain focused on dismantling any such businesses and holding landlords accountable for harboring illegal activities.