Law enforcement rescued two human trafficking victims from 33 Mansion Mental Massage Spa on Tuesday, Aug. 13.
Multiple agencies searched the massage spa at 1333 Lincoln St. Tuesday, after receiving tips from concerned community members that women were being trafficked there, according to a news release issued by Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Office Deb Slater.
Online ads on multiple websites suggested women were available for commercial sex acts at the location, the release stated. The spa is across from Carl Cozier Elementary School.
The Bellingham Police Department’s code enforcement and planning department building official found several code violations, which will be referred to the property owners, “as they are accountable and ultimately responsible for the conditions of their commercially leased spaces,” Slater said in the news release. Chun-Hsu Chen is the owner of the property, according to the Whatcom County Assessor & Treasurer property search.
Police did not find a business or massage license during the search, Slater said. The Whatcom Gang and Drug Task Force, the Bellingham Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations and Customs and Border Protection assisted in the rescue.
Charlotte Alden is CDN’s general assignment/enterprise reporter; reach her at charlottealden@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 123.
