Massage parlors closed after raids in Edison, North Brunswick

Six massage parlors in the area have been closed by police after 19 individuals were charged with participating in prostitution and/or money laundering at the establishments.

Julie’s Spa, 525 Milltown Road, North Brunswick, and Pro Acupressure Inc., 1910 Oak Tree Road, Edison, were among the massage parlors that were shuttered during a series of raids Nov. 19-20, according to a joint statement released by Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew C. Carey, Director Kenneth McCormick of the North Brunswick Police Department and Chief James Parker of the South Plainfield Police Department.

Four parlors in South Plainfield were also targeted: Pro Spa, 902 Oak Tree Ave.; Q Health Center, 4475 South Clinton Ave.; Oriental Wellness Center, 2201 South Clinton Ave.; and New Gold Day Spa Inc., 2013 Park Ave.

The investigation of the massage parlors began in March 2015 by the South Plainfield Police Department. The investigation was expanded after it was determined that the massage parlors were funneling ill-gotten gains through a variety of expenses that included paying bills, financing advertisements for the businesses and paying state and municipal licensing fees, the statement said.

One operator laundered more than $150,000 in illegal cash, while others spent between $25,000 and $60,000 in the money laundering scheme, according to officials.

Chunlan Cui, 51, of Edison, is charged with second degree money laundering and third degree promoting prostitution. Sheng Lin, 42, of Edison, is charged with resisting arrest, obstruction and third degree conspiracy of money laundering.

Longshi Yu, 45, of South Plainfield, is charged with third degree promoting prostitution and fourth degree engaging in prostitution. Ten defendants from Queens, New York; one from Scarborough, Maine; one from Peapack, one from Ridgefield, two from West Orange; and one from Cliffside Park face charges involving money laundering, prostitution, conspiracy and disorderly persons.

The highest bail was set at $60,000 for individuals who were charged with more serious second-degree offenses, while other bails ranged from $20,000, officials said. Some were released in their own recognizance.

The investigation is being conducted by Detective Joseph Indano of the South Plainfield Police Department, Detective Robert Powell of the North Brunswick Police Department and Detective Ryan Tighe of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office.

Also assisting in the investigation are members of the New Jersey Department of the Treasury Office of Taxation, and the federal Homeland Security Investigation Human Trafficking Unit and Immigration and Customs Enforcement office in Newark.

In addition, investigators acted on an anonymous tip sent to Crime Stoppers of Middlesex County Inc.

“The law enforcement agencies of Middlesex County will remain diligent in closing down businesses that not only breed illegal activity but harm neighborhoods and infringe on the quality of life for all of our residents,” Carey said.

Anyone with information is asked to call Powell at 732-247-0922, Indano at 908- 755-0700 or Tight at 732-745-3300.