APD and State Agency Arrest Massage Parlor Manager Near Downtown Albuquerque

Albuquerque –

Detectives with APD’s High Risk Victims Unit worked with special agents from the Governor’s Organized Crime Commission to raid an illegal massage parlor near Downtown Wednesday evening.

The detectives and special agents executed a search warrant on the unlicensed business located at 1007 Luna Circle, N.W., near Lomas Blvd. and 12^th St. They arrested Mei Chien Wu, 50, and charged her with promoting prostitution. More than $5,500 in cash was seized, along with several working cell phones, “sexy” outfits, and lingerie .

The special agents with the New Mexico Organized Crime Commission, started the investigation into the business in June after identifying it on a web site with images of young, Asian females, and promoting potential illegal activity, including sex services.

According to the criminal complaint, Wu would send text messages to people confirming their massage services. Some of those messages included scantly clad women who would potentially be providing the massages.

The Special Agents contacted APD’s Special Victim’s section to assist with the investigation. Members of APD’s Gun Violence Reduction Unit and the Major Crime Scene Team assisted with the raid.

The criminal complaint says Wu tried to run out the backdoor during the raid but she was quickly apprehended. When questioned she said she was just there to cook and clean at the property and a man named “Tony” ran the business.

It also states that investigators found two females inside the business and when they were questioned about the activities, the women denied ever doing sexual activities with clients. One woman did mention they arrived from Portland, Oregon to start working at this ABQ location. She identified Wu as her “Big Sister” and she would just give her cash after the massages and not receive an actual paycheck.

Crime scene investigators used Alternate Light Source around areas of the parlor and some areas within indicated there were bodily fluids on beds and sheets based on the illumination from the special lights.

Detectives and agents conducted surveillance and observed several males entering and exiting the business in a pattern that suggested prostitution.

Investigators also learned that Mei Chien Wu had a history of human trafficking (forced labor), prostitution, and pimping in California. Wu is now charged with promoting prostitution in New Mexico.