26 Women Freed In Massive Seattle Massage Parlor Bust

SEATTLE, WA - Seattle police have shut down a prostitution ring operating in 11 spas and massage parlors across the city. Police raided the businesses last week after a 3-1/2 year investigation.

Six people are facing a variety of charges, and police believe the businesses had ties to Chinese organized crime. Twenty-six women were forced to work in the brothels were freed, and police have been able to connect them with social service resources. The women were all between the ages of 20 and 60.

"The victims were fraudulently lured to Seattle from China with the promise of making large sums of money to support themselves and their families. They were targeted with advertisements for what appeared to be legal employment and other opportunities. In fact, the operators of these massage parlors profited greatly from the criminal enterprise operation," Seattle police said in a statement Friday.

Police said the women were forced to perform sex work for up to 20 hours per day.

According to the Seattle Times, nine of the brothels were located in the International District, including three were west of I-5, and two were on Beacon Hill. The investigation began after neighbors complained to police about suspicious activity at the Tulip Spa, a business located in the bottom floor of an apartment building in North Beacon Hill's bustling business district.

The six people arrested in the raids are facing charges of promoting prostitution and money laundering. The FBI, Department of Homeland Security, and King County Prosecutor also worked on the case.