What looked like a quiet massage business on Foulk Road is now at the center of a human trafficking probe, after county detectives raided Crystal Spa and say they found women working grueling shifts under alleged coercion.
New Castle County detectives hit the spa on the 1700 block of Foulk Road with a search warrant, arresting the on-site operator and uncovering what investigators now describe as trafficking victims. The owner, they say, is still on the run.
According to the New Castle County Division of Police, the investigation kicked off in May and culminated in the July 15 search of Crystal Spa. Detectives say they identified three adult women, ages 47, 54 and 56, who were allegedly forced to work 12-hour shifts, seven days a week. During the raid, officers seized $15,975 in cash along with other items police say were consistent with an illicit massage business.
The operator, 71-year-old Nan Son Yim, was taken into custody and charged with multiple felonies, including human trafficking, promoting prostitution and conspiracy. She was committed to the Delores J. Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution after failing to post $108,000 cash bail, according to police.
Two men found inside the spa were also arrested. As reported by 6abc, 78-year-old Thomas Hofer and 45-year-old Jesse Wasmer were charged with attempting to commit patronizing a prostitute. Both men were arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court 11 and released on their own recognizance.
Owner Sought In Claymont And Flushing
Detectives say they have identified the business owner as 54-year-old Meilan Quan. Investigators executed a search warrant at her Mallard Circle home in Claymont, where they say they found evidence tying her to the alleged operation.
Per the New Castle County Division of Police, Quan is believed to have connections in Delaware and Flushing, New York. Detectives are asking anyone who knows where she is to contact Detective Townsend.
Charges And Next Steps
The operator now faces a slate of felony trafficking and related charges that will first move through Justice of the Peace Court 11 before a potential review in Superior Court, according to reporting from 6abc. Investigators say the case is far from closed, with the owner still at large and the possibility of more arrests or charges as they dig into any broader network tied to Crystal Spa.
A Broader Crackdown On Illicit Spas
The Crystal Spa raid is not a one-off. It is part of a larger push this year against suspected illicit massage businesses. In April, a multi-agency operation called "Operation Coast to Coast" resulted in several spa raids and arrests, according to NBC10 Philadelphia. Authorities say those coordinated actions are aimed at finding victims, seizing criminal profits and holding both operators and buyers to account.
Victim Support And How To Report
All victims identified during the Crystal Spa investigation have been referred to the New Castle County Division of Police Victim Services Unit for support, resources and counseling.
Anyone with information about the case or the whereabouts of Meilan Quan is asked to call Detective Townsend at (302) 395-3609 or the New Castle County Division of Police 24/7 Human Trafficking Hotline at (302) 395-2727.
