Methuen Mayor D.J. Beauregard announced the closure of three more massage parlors following a raft of allegations including human trafficking, unlicensed activity, and numerous code violations. The parlors, named Yellow Lilly Day Spa and Lavender Spa, both on Baldwin Street, and Oriental Spa on Swan Street, were served cease-and-desist orders by the city's Department of Health, Human Services, and Inspections after inspections uncovered blocked exits and evidence suggesting that the establishments served as fronts for a darker trade, as reported by WCVB.
Beauregard, vowing a battle against human trafficking declared that, "We are moving aggressively to identify and close these businesses, to crack down on the evildoers who profit from human suffering, and to hold landlords, traffickers, and johns accountable," as he unfolded the city's approach to addressing the malevolent underbelly of what seemed, façades of legitimate relaxation hubs, the city's inspections serving as a precursor to a more comprehensive crackdown, according to NBC Boston. In conjunction with the shuttering of these establishments, police have issued an arrest warrant for Yiuyu Huang, co-manager of the already raided Beauty Garden Spa, and are pursuing customers of the spa as well.
The Methuen police, led by Chief Scott McNamara, have expressed their intent to fully eradicate this plight, with McNamara stating, "This is our first step to eradicate human trafficking in our city," as reported by NBC Boston. The police have gained significant support from the local community, as Methuen residents like Beth Foote provided crucial tips that led police to launch undercover operations. Foote, who lives near the first spa to be closed, noticed unusual patterns in the comings and goings of the women, their luggage-laden transits from New Jersey and New York flagging a clandestine routine to her discerning eye.
Adding to the crackdown narrative, Mayor Beauregard announced the formation of a human trafficking task force, where its objective is to hold individuals, including the landlords profiting from such illegitimate businesses, accountable pushing the city to architect strategies that are centered on the survivors of trafficking emphasizing that this isn't a victimless crime, in a statement obtained by WCVB, Beauregard pledged, "Ultimately, the goal here is to establish strategies that are survivor-centered — this is not a victimless crime— I think that's another misconception that's often lost in translation here," a vow stacking atop his earlier affirmations. Beauregard credited vigilant community members for noticing and reporting suspicious activities, which have contributed significantly to the investigations.
