Calgary massage parlours shut down over allegations of human trafficking
Police have closed three Calgary massage parlours after a year-long investigation uncovered alleged links to human trafficking.
The investigation was launched in February 2023 after officers received a tip about suspicious activity at Moonlight Massage in the 4300 block of Macleod Trail.
The investigation led to the closure of the business in December 2023, after the landlord identified illegal suites on the premises.
The Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams' (ALERT) human trafficking unit arrested Hai (Anna) Yan Ye, on April 16, charging the 48-year-old with advertising sexual services, drug offences and firearms offences.
Ye was released from custody on a number of court-imposed conditions.
According to ALERT, Ye was linked to three commercial properties and two homes that were allegedly being used for illegal sexual activities and services.
The massage parlours include:
- Seagull Massage at 1034 8 Avenue S.W.;
- 128 Massage at 1935 37 Street S.W., and
- The One Massage Centre at 1919 31 Street S.E.
The homes were located in the 1100 block of Hidden Valley Drive and the 3100 block of 12 Avenue S.W.
Police have three Calgary massage parlours after a year-long investigation uncovered alleged links to human trafficking. During a search of all five properties, police seized various drugs, $15,000 in cash suspected to be the proceeds of crime and a shotgun with ammunition.
"We believe that these were immigrants being exploited into the sex trade," said ALERT Staff Sgt. Gord MacDonald in a news release.
"This has been a common trend that takes advantage of their unfamiliarity and vulnerability."
Four victims were identified and provided resources by ALERT’s safety network coordinators.
Anyone with information about the investigation, or any case involving suspected human trafficking, is asked to contact Crime Stoppers anonymously.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From AI running wild to collapsing ecosystems, government report outlines future disruptions
From artificial intelligence running wild to collapsing ecosystems, a new Canadian government report outlines 35 disruptions that could rattle the country in the near future.
B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton hospitalized after prison attack
British Columbia serial killer Robert Pickton was attacked and sustained life-threatening injuries in a Quebec prison Sunday in what officials described as a 'major assault.'
opinion Tom Mulcair: With Trudeau spiralling, Mark Carney waits in the wings
In his latest column for CTVNews.ca, former NDP leader Tom Mulcair argues that if there's an unofficial frontrunner in the eventual race to replace Justin Trudeau as Liberal leader, it has to be former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney.
Toronto Blue Jays fan struck by 110 m.p.h foul ball offered tickets, signed baseball by team
The Toronto Blue Jays have offered tickets and a signed baseball to a fan who says she was struck in the face by a 110 m.p.h (177 km/h) foul ball at Friday’s game.
Matthew Perry's death is being investigated over ketamine level found in actor's blood, reports say
An investigation has been opened into the death of Matthew Perry and how the “Friends” actor received the anesthetic ketamine, which was ruled a contributing factor in his death.
OPP continues to investigate boat collision north of Kingston, Ont. that left 3 people dead
Ontario Provincial Police continue to investigate a long weekend fatal boat collision on Bobs Lake, north of Kingston, Ont.
Police in Ontario say suspects charged in armed home invasion near Toronto part of 'larger criminal network'
Police in Ontario say a group of suspects charged in an armed home invasion north of Toronto last year were driving a vehicle stolen in a carjacking in Calgary just one month earlier.
Stolen septic truck swerves through traffic, spike belt needed to stop it: Manitoba RCMP
A 29-year-old woman has been charged after police say she stole a septic truck from a Manitoba community and drove erratically on the highway.
Orphan orca's extended family spotted off northeast side of Vancouver Island
Members of a killer whale pod related to an orphan orca calf that escaped a remote British Columbia tidal lagoon last month have been spotted off the northeast coast of Vancouver Island.