4 arrested in Delaware as part of nationwide human trafficking crackdown

Law enforcement officials in Delaware say four residents of the first state were arrested as part of a nationwide human trafficking effort, called “Operation Coast to Coast,” last week.

According to officials, four Delaware residents — including the owners of spas in Wilmington and Newark — were arrested on Thursday, April 23, as part of a nationwide crackdown that involved 250 law enforcement agencies across 30 states.

In Delaware, officials arrested 44-year-old Mei Chen of Wilmington, Del. who was identified as the owner of TH Rainbow Spa, located along the 2300 block of Carpenter Station Road in Wilmington, as well as Li Shi, 56, of Newark, who police identified as the owner of Relaxing Asian/Moon Spa, located on the 1900 block of Capitol Trail in Newark.

Both women have been charged with promoting prostitution, money laundering and related offenses.

Also, in a search of TH Rainbow Spa, officials said, police apprehended 36-year-old Matthew Tamayo of Aston, Pennsylvania. He has been charged with patronizing a prostitute, police said.

At Relaxing Asian/Moon Spa, police said, officers arrested a 17-year-old boy. This teen has been charged with firearm offences, police said.

During the search of these spas, officials seized jewelry, thousands in U.S. currency, three vehicles and — just from Relaxing Asian/Moon Spa — $42,000 in gold bars and coins along with $16,000 in silver bars and coins.

Officials said that, during this operation, potential victims of human trafficking were identified in Delaware:

• At TH Rainbow Spa, officials said a 37-year-old woman and a 49-year-old woman were located.
• At Relaxing Asian/Moon Spa, a 45-year-old woman was located.

Overall, through the course of the nationwide operation, officials said, 129 victims were located and identified, including 11 minors and one adult who was seven months pregnant.

Investigators also detained 86 men, arrested 53 sex buyers, and executed 108 search warrants, including 36 at illicit massage businesses, according to police.

In addition, officials said that police agencies nationwide seized more than $500,000 in criminal assets, including cash, gold, silver, and vehicles.

An investigation into these incidents, officials said, remains ongoing.