A major human trafficking bust in Pennsylvania has led to the arrests of 22 people, with even more expected in the coming weeks. Officials from Cumberland County are cracking down on illegal operations tied to two massage parlors in the town of Carlisle, just west of Harrisburg.
The effort, called “Closed2Trafficking,” is part of a broader mission to put an end to sexual exploitation and human trafficking in the area. District Attorney Seán M. McCormack announced the arrests in a press release, calling it a clear message to traffickers that Cumberland County won’t tolerate these crimes.
The investigation began last month and stretched into November, with authorities focusing on two massage parlors—GL Massage and Li’s Asian Massage. Search warrants revealed illegal activities, leading to a string of arrests.
Back in October, six men were the first to be detained, accused of promoting prostitution. Then, on November 6, authorities arrested a person from Flushing, New York, at GL Massage for engaging in prostitution. Similar arrests followed at Li’s Asian Massage, including two individuals from Flushing and a woman from Newport, Pennsylvania.
Just two days later, on November 8, a major sweep took place, resulting in the arrests of 13 more men connected to prostitution. This operation is part of a continuing effort called “Impact Demand,” which specifically targets the customers fueling the sex trade.
“Human trafficking is real, and it’s happening here,” McCormack said. “We’re committed to rooting it out and making sure traffickers know Cumberland County is not a place for their operations.”
The authorities’ message is clear: they’re determined to shut down these illegal activities and protect vulnerable individuals from exploitation. As investigations continue, more arrests are expected, signaling that this fight is far from over.