Police raid three alleged sex shops in West Windsor; six women arrested (NJ.com)

Police raid three alleged sex shops in West Windsor; six women arrested
Published: Tuesday, October 26, 2010, 9:48 PM

WEST WINDSOR — Six alleged prostitutes were taken into custody during raids on three massage parlors Tuesday afternoon amid an FBI investigation into possible human trafficking, police said.

Though police have no concrete evidence the women were brought to the township against their will, federal agents are involved because the prostitution trade has often relied on human traffickers for sex workers in the past, police said.

“There’s always the concern with these situations that these people are involved in human trafficking,” Lt. Robert Garafolo said.

At 1 p.m., members of the West Windsor Police Tactical Team made entry to Bodyworks Massage on Princeton-Hightstown Road, Oriental Moon Massage on Alexander Road, and Min’s Health Center on Washington Road. They were followed inside by township police, FBI agents, detectives from the county prosecutor’s office, and agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), police said.

Inside, the officers found computers, financial documents, and surveillance equipment along with $15,000 cash spread between the three locations. The six women were brought back to headquarters, where translators and immigration officials processed and interviewed them, police said.

One of the females is facing deportation, police said. She would be sent back to China, according to a law enforcement source.

The women are all Asian, in their 20s and 30s, the source said. Interviewers will be looking for similarities in what the women say in order to build a possible trafficking case.

Police do not believe the three businesses were operated by the same group, but could be using the same trader if human slavery is involved, he said.

Township police will be analyzing the computer hard drives, video, and financial records to obtain evidence.

The businesses are all located on residential streets and have minimal signage, Garafolo said. Most were within half a mile of a school or child care center.

Township police began investigating the shops four months ago following several complaints to township police by family members of customers, including upset spouses, police said. Investigators believe both legitimate and illegitimate business was conducted at the locations.

No charges had been filed as of Tuesday night. Police did not indicate if any customers were present during the raids.