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Massage Parlours Raided in Kansas City, Missouri; Trafficking Suspected

Federal agents and local police in Johnson County, Missouri raided 12 businesses and four homes on 10 May 2007, rescuing 15 women from ‘massage parlors'.

The action came during a crackdown on human trafficking by 175 federal agents, police officers and support staff.

The women were receiving shelter, food, clothing and counseling. They also are being interviewed about activities at the businesses, FBI spokesman Jeff Lanza.said. “They are not being treated as suspects,” he said. Neighbors said the businesses raided on Thursday had drawn attention for some time. Businesses were open until 11 p.m., seven days a week. The clientele was almost exclusively men and the customers often didn’t park in front of the business. Witnesses also saw young women being dropped off at one business, as recently as this week, with suitcases and clothing.

A new law will require background checks for current and new massage therapists and companies employing them. Last summer, federal prosecutors in Kansas City established a human-trafficking task force similar to those in about two dozen other cities.

Adapted from: "Modern-Day Slavery: Human-trafficking investigation leads to 16 Johnson County raids." The Kansas City Star. 11 May 2007.