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March 26, 2007

ICE arrests five suspects for harboring women allegedly working as prostitutes at massage parlors
Agents find 14 women working in massage parlors in Buffalo area

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) special agents, backed by other federal, state and local authorities, have arrested five individuals for allegedly harboring illegal Chinese women. The women were allegedly working as prostitutes in massage parlors around the Buffalo area. Special agents also executed 13 search warrants, eight on businesses and five on private residences.

The ICE investigation found that the suspects were recruiting, harboring and employing women, mainly from China to engage in prostitution in eight businesses that were disguised as massage parlors and acupressure parlors. According to documents filed in U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York, the women performed various sexual acts for money.

"This investigation is a graphic example of the perils faced by women who are smuggled into the country," said Peter J. Smith, special agent in charge of ICE's office of investigations in Buffalo. "ICE agents are currently working with Chinese interpreters to determine how the women were smuggled into this country and under what circumstances."

"My office will vigorously pursue any allegations that persons may have been smuggled illegally into the United States," said U.S. Attorney for the Western District of New York Terrance P. Flynn. "If the evidence determines that in this case, more than smuggling has taken place additional charges will be considered."

Five Chinese nationals were arrested and have been charged with violations of 8 USC 1324, bringing in and harboring certain aliens and 18 USC 2424, filing factual statement about an alien individual. The following individuals will have their initial appearance today in federal court.

  • Gen Zhong Lin
  • Bi Lin Lin
  • Tat Ming Chiu
  • Yong Di Liu
  • Yong Mei Shi

ICE is committed to protecting the United States and its citizens from the threats and vulnerabilities posed by criminal organizations engaged in human smuggling. Identifying and investigating smuggling operations contributes directly to the overall Homeland Security mission by attacking both the criminal smuggling networks and the conduits they use.

Smith thanked U.S. Attorney Terrance P. Flynn, ICE's Office of Detention and Removal in Buffalo, U.S Customs and Border Protection, the U.S. Border Patrol, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New York State Police, U.S. Department of Labor, and members of the Western New York Human Trafficking Task Force for their assistance in the operation.

The following agencies also worked closely with ICE on the operation. Erie County and Niagara County Sheriff's Offices, Cheektowaga, Amherst, West Seneca, Kenmore, Depew, City and Town of Tonawanda, and Town of Niagara Police Departments.

-- ICE --

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was established in March 2003 as the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security. ICE is comprised of five integrated divisions that form a 21st century law enforcement agency with broad responsibilities for a number of key homeland security priorities.

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