{"id":5007,"date":"2025-10-04T03:47:25","date_gmt":"2025-10-04T03:47:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thegloss.online\/?p=5007"},"modified":"2025-10-04T03:47:25","modified_gmt":"2025-10-04T03:47:25","slug":"9-methuen-businesses-now-linked-to-human-trafficking-investigation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thegloss.online\/?p=5007","title":{"rendered":"9 Methuen businesses now linked to human trafficking investigation"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLocal News
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Four of the businesses were \u201cabruptly abandoned\u201d this week before inspectors could pay a visit, officials said.<\/h2>\n
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\n\tMethuen Police Chief Scott McNamara is seen at an unrelated press conference in 2024. <\/em>\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBy Abby Patkin\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

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3 minutes to read<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/header>\n

A total of nine Methuen businesses have closed their doors amid the city\u2019s crusade against human trafficking, with four of them \u201cabruptly abandoned\u201d this week before inspectors could pay a visit, officials said Thursday.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen inspectors arrived at those four locations, they were ghost towns with no sign of activity of any kind,\u201d Mayor D.J. Beauregard said at a news conference<\/a>. \u201cThe message we have sent in declaring war on human trafficking is clear: Methuen is not a safe harbor for these criminal enterprises.\u201d<\/p>\n

The four businesses that closed on their own did so \u201cjust prior to the arrival of city inspectors,\u201d added Police Chief Scott McNamara. \u201cNow, is that a coincidence? I\u2019ll let you be the judge.\u201d<\/p>\n

Neither he nor Beauregard named the four business that closed independently. The city ordered the other five businesses closed as part of its crackdown, all of them spas and massage parlors. According to McNamara, inspectors who visited the spas uncovered code violations and, in some cases, found evidence purportedly consistent with human trafficking.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cEvidence such as prepackaged condoms, lubricants, people living in a commercial space,\u201d he added. \u201cThese are items and behaviors not typical of legitimate businesses.\u201d<\/p>\n

He clarified that while human trafficking is suspected in many of the recent busts, \u201cit has not been definitively proven in some of the cases and, in fact, in some cases patrons may have received legitimate services.\u201d McNamara also said authorities suspect the businesses may be connected somehow, but they haven\u2019t established any ties.\u00a0<\/p>\n

He and Beauregard joined other local leaders Thursday in announcing the formation of a Methuen Human Trafficking Task Force, aimed at continuing the city\u2019s efforts.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cAlthough this has been a highly productive week in our fight to eradicate human trafficking from our city, we must not let our foot off the gas,\u201d Beauregard said. \u201cWe know that in the sick and depraved world we live in, others may attempt to open new illicit operations masked behind different fronts.\u201d<\/p>\n

He urged residents to speak up if they see something suspicious, sharing the city\u2019s anonymous tip line \u2014 978-983-8794 \u2014 and a webpage of resources<\/a> for trafficking survivors. Beauregard also said the city has its sights set on alleged sex buyers.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to send a message to the so-called \u2018johns\u2019 who fuel these crimes: you are not invisible,\u201d he said, adding, \u201cIf you engage in this vile activity, we will know who you are, and we will hold you up to public shame.\u201d<\/p>\n

According to Beauregard, Methuen is investing in enhanced law enforcement technology to aid its efforts, including new license plate readers and an expanded public camera network. McNamara said his department is also considering sending written notices to registered owners of vehicles repeatedly observed at suspected human trafficking hotspots.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese notifications would seek the cooperation in our efforts to combat human trafficking,\u201d he explained. \u201cOf course, some may find themselves with a little bit of explaining to do when the letters arrive.\u201d<\/p>\n

Authorities last week arrested one person \u2014 Beauty Garden Spa manager Suping Zhu \u2014 on trafficking and prostitution charges in connection with the crackdown. Zhu, 38, has pleaded not guilty, and McNamara said police have an outstanding warrant for a second person.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Appearing alongside Methuen officials Thursday, Safe Exit Initiative<\/a> Co-Executive Director Audra Doody praised the city for its\u00a0recent efforts. Identifying herself as a trafficking survivor and a leader in the anti-trafficking movement, she shed further light on the illicit trade.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThe vast majority of people in the sex trade are not there by choice; it is more often circumstances out of their control that place these individuals in harm\u2019s way,\u201d Doody explained, adding, \u201cTraffickers would not sell people if buyers did not exist.\u201d<\/p>\n

Both she and Beauregard called on other cities and towns to follow Methuen\u2019s lead.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese illicit businesses exist everywhere, including in communities where people least expect them,\u201d Beauregard warned.<\/p>\n