Massage Parlor Sting Nets 4 In Santa Cruz County

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, Ca - Four women were cited during a human trafficking and prostitution sting operation that targeted massage parlors in Santa Cruz last week, police said today.

The women were found Friday by the police Neighborhood Enforcement Team, which was sent to Lucky Valley Health Center at 827 Water St., Asian Massage at 212 Fern St., Health Care Massage at 223 River St. and Golden Bay Spa at 551 Frederick St., police said.

At each business, workers allegedly offered to have sex with undercover officers in exchange for money, according to police. The team targeted the businesses based on complaints and suspicions from the community, police said.

The women, ages 50, 44, 30 and 42, from China, were cited for soliciting an act of prostitution, according to police.

Mandarin and Cantonese translators are also part of the team, according to police. Victim advocates were also made available to anyone who was harmed at the businesses, police said.

The team received assistance from the Santa Cruz County Anti-Crime Team and District Attorney’s Office in addition to state and federal law enforcement to carry out the operation, according to police.

Anyone who has information on similar cases is asked to call the police anonymous tip line at (831) 420-5995.

Human trafficking victims seeking assistance may call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at (888) 373-7888 or Monarch Services at (888) 900-4232.

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