4 Massage Parlors Raided In Miami Beach

MIAMI BEACH, FL — City officials and police officers executed simultaneous search warrants on four Miami Beach massage parlors Friday night following an eight-month undercover investigation into alleged prostitution-related activities. City Manager Jimmy Morales took swift action to revoke the business licenses at each of the locations. Police said they are in the process of interviewing women who worked at the massage parlors to determine whether they were victims of human trafficking.

"Over the course of the eight-month investigation, detectives validated the complaints and established the elements for various prostitution-related charges," explained Ernesto Rodriguez of the Miami Beach Police Department on Friday night. (Sign up for our free Daily Newsletters and Breaking News Alerts for the Miami Beach Patch.

Warrants were executed at each of the following businesses, according to Miami Beach police:

• Jee-Jee, 733 5 Street
• Lu Lu, 7441 Collins Avenue
• Shanghai, 1106 Normandy Drive
• Jade, 1020 71st Street

Rodriguez said on Saturday that three people were charged with prostitution-related offense while two victims of human trafficking were rescued. No arrests have been made at the Lu Lu massage parlor.

"Investigatory evidence and money was seized at each of the four locations," he told Patch. "The investigation remains open."

Police said the investigation began in January following complaints that the massage parlors were being used for prostitution. Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers also received a tip that the businesses were engaging in human trafficking.

In revoking the business licenses, Morales said that the massage parlors will not be permitted to reopen
unless the city issues new licenses.

“Based on the gravity of these allegations, I believe it was imperative that these businesses cease operations immediately,” Morales said. “We will not tolerate any sort of illegal operations that present an actual threat to the quality of life and safety of our community.”

In addition to the Miami Beach Police Department, the investigation included participation by Miami Beach Code Enforcement, Sunny Isles Beach Police and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations.

"The women involved in these establishments are being evaluated this evening by experts to determine
the extent to which they may be victims of human trafficking," Rodriguez said on Friday night. "All appropriate medical and social services will be provided to any such victims."

Florida has the nation’s third highest rate of reported cases of human trafficking, according to Miami Beach police.

To report a tip, call the Miami Beach Police Department at 305.673.7901.