Peninsula Brothel Bust: 2 Arrested After 'Observant Community Members' Spark Undercover Op, Police Say

SAN MATEO, CA – Two San Francisco residents are under arrest after San Mateo police broke up an alleged brothel in town this week, officials say.

According to San Mateo Police, an undercover operation was started earlier this month after "concerned and observant" community members came forward about the home, which is located on the same street as San Mateo City Hall and Junipero Serra High School. On Monday, a search warrant was served at the residence in the 400 block of West 20th Street, evidence was collected and two men were arrested, police said.

"Early November, San Mateo Police received several complaints about the suspected brothel, which immediately initiated an investigation by CRU," SMPD officials said in a news release. "Working in an undercover capacity, CRU Officers developed evidence which showed that prostitution acts were in fact occurring at the residence."

Monday night, when the warrant was served, 25-year-old Jin Xiang Zhen and 27-year-old Ruibiao Li were ultimately arrested. Zhen was nabbed on suspicion of operating a house of ill fame while Li was arrested on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance, according to police.

The pair was booked into the Maguire Correctional Facility.

No human trafficking victims were in the home at the time, police said.

"San Mateo Police Department is well aware of the problems of human trafficking," the agency said.
"We are devoted to assisting these victims who are caught up in this dangerous activity and to apprehending the pimps and 'johns' who prey on these vulnerable subjects."

Police are thanking community members for reporting the suspicious behavior and attribute the success of the operation to them.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact Officer Nick Morsilli at (650) 522-7773 or the department's secret witness line at (650) 522-7676.

– Image via Shutterstock / Bay City News Service contributed to this report.