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Human trafficking probe led to raids of El Paso massage parlors by federal & state agents

massage parlor raid
KVIA
Yellow crime scene tape blocks off the area in front of a massage parlor along Mesa Street that was raided.

UPDATE: Authorities said Thursday that the massage parlor raids a day prior stemmed from a long-term investigation into human trafficking that remains ongoing.

DPS officials indicated they had "served 13 search warrants at several massage parlors in the El Paso area."

They added that those searched "resulted in 25 interviews and recovered evidence that supports the offenses of human trafficking (and) prostitution."

Because the probe continues, officials declined further comment.

ORIGINAL REPORT: EL PASO, Texas -- Federal and state agents raided at least two massage parlors in El Paso on Wednesday afternoon.

The businesses were identified by a law enforcement source as Joy Spa Massage and East West Massage. An ABC-7 crew observed those searches take place along North Mesa Street.

Authorities were tight-lipped about the reason for the raids.

A spokesperson for the Texas Department of Public Safety indicated that agents with DPS, the FBI and U.S. Homeland Security were "serving multiple search warrants at various locations in the El Paso area," but declined to elaborate further citing an ongoing investigation.

DPS said it anticipated releasing further details about those searches on Thursday.

Article Topic Follows: ABC-7 Alert Center

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Jim Parker

Jim Parker is the former Director of Digital Content for ABC-7.

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