Overview
- City officials say five spas were closed by inspectors and four others were abandoned just before inspections, for a total of nine shuttered businesses.
- Leaders announced a dedicated task force to coordinate inspections, criminal cases, victim services, and interagency work as investigations continue.
- Beauty Garden Spa manager Suping Zhu, 38, was arrested on trafficking and prostitution charges, and police say a second manager remains wanted.
- Methuen plans to use new license plate readers and an expanded public camera network, with possible notices to registered owners of vehicles repeatedly seen at suspected sites.
- Inspectors reported signs consistent with trafficking, including basement living quarters and prepackaged condoms, while noting some cases are not yet proven; officials launched a support website and tip line and said some victims were taken to New York.