Current:Home > MarketsNYPD raids, shuts down 6 alleged brothels posing as massage parlors, Mayor Adams says-InfoLens
NYPD raids, shuts down 6 alleged brothels posing as massage parlors, Mayor Adams says
View Date:2024-12-23 21:17:59
Six New York City massage parlors that authorities suspect were operating as brothels were shut down Thursday during a raid by the New York City Police Department in Queens, the city's Mayor Eric Adams announced on social media.
The businesses and their alleged illicit prostitution operations had become well-known among residents and business owners on Roosevelt Avenue, according to multiple outlets who quoted City Councilman Francisco Moya during a briefing shortly before the raids took place.
After Moya relayed his constituents' concerns to Adams, the mayor assembled a team of police and city officials to surveil for sex trafficking operations taking place at the massage parlors, one of which was located about 50 feet from a school, according to multiple media reports.
Adams said in a media briefing before the busts that authorities witnessed the parlors operating in “full effect” at 1:30 a.m. Wednesday. The investigation led to a court order from a judge that allowed police to search and shut down the operations Thursday afternoon.
"Prostitution is not a victimless crime — sex trafficking, abuse, and more," Adams said in a statement on the social media platform X. "There are so many concerns in our communities and we are taking action."
This week's raids bring to 12 the number of locations within two weeks on Roosevelt Avenue that police have investigated and shut down for alleged sex trafficking, the New York City Police Department said in a statement to USA TODAY.
Mayor Adams' office did not immediately return a message Friday to USA TODAY seeking more information.
Multiple homicide:Shooting at Arlington, Texas apartment leaves 3 people dead, gunman on the loose
Residents, business owners rejoice after alleged brothel raids
Nearby residents and owners of neighboring businesses were quoted in multiple outlets as praising the raids after months of complaints.
"Finally, finally we’re happy because they start standing in front of our doors, and it’s a big mess for us," Rajbir Kaur, who works just next door to one of the parlors shuttered by police, told Fox 5 New York.
In a statement to USA TODAY, Moya said New York officials are "using every tool in our toolbox to crackdown on illegal brothels in Queens."
"We will employ all measures within the law to close down these establishments operating under deplorable conditions,” Moya said. “The NYPD will track them down, preventing any attempts to reopen under a different name or location. Our dedication to ensuring community safety is firm, and we will persist until the job is done.”
No arrests have been reported following Thursday's raids.
Eric Lagatta covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach him at [email protected]
veryGood! (7)
Related
- Blake Shelton Announces New Singing Competition Show After Leaving The Voice
- New giant trapdoor spider species discovered in Australia
- Lululemon Belt Bag Restock: Shop Before They Sell Out... Again
- Charli D'Amelio Offers Behind-the-Scenes Look at 2023 Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards
- Japan to resume V-22 flights after inquiry finds pilot error caused accident
- Hayden Panettiere Says Brother Jansen Is Right Here With Me 2 Weeks After His Unexpected Death
- London's Metropolitan Police plagued by institutional racism, misogyny and homophobia, investigation finds
- Heather Rae El Moussa Teases Her Future on Selling Sunset
- Judge weighs the merits of a lawsuit alleging ‘Real Housewives’ creators abused a cast member
- Inside Matthew McConaughey's Unique Family World as a Father of 3
Ranking
- Mike Tyson emerges as heavyweight champ among product pitchmen before Jake Paul fight
- Here’s Why Kourtney Kardashian Is Clapping Back on Pregnancy Speculation
- Ariana Madix Wore These Surprisingly Affordable Dresses on Vanderpump Rules
- Hayden Panettiere Shares Why She's Looking Forward to Discussing Her Struggles With Daughter Kaya
- Golden Bachelorette: Joan Vassos Gets Engaged During Season Finale
- Video shows massive anti-ship mine from World War II being destroyed in Croatia
- 21 Amazon Products To Keep You Sane If You're Stuck At The Airport
- Climate change time bomb requires quantum leap in action by all countries now, U.N. warns
Recommendation
-
MLS Star Marco Angulo Dead at 22 One Month After Car Crash
-
The 28 Best Amazon Sales and Deals to Shop This Weekend: Clothes, Televisions, Beauty Products, and More
-
Cher Reveals She's Working on New Music With Boyfriend Alexander Edwards
-
Shop Our Coachella & Stagecoach 2023 Fashion Trend Forecast
-
Kelly Rowland and Nelly Reunite for Iconic Performance of Dilemma 2 Decades Later
-
Prince William makes surprise visit to soldiers near Poland's border with Ukraine
-
Why Women Everywhere Love Khloé Kardashian's Good American Clothing Line
-
See Meghan Markle's Royally Chic Black Leather Look for Her Date Night With Prince Harry