Arraignment For 2 Women Accused Of Human Trafficking In Boston Postponed

BOSTON (CBS) -- Two women accused of human trafficking are being held without bail until they can be arraigned in Boston Municipal Court.

Zhou Feng, 57, of Medford, and Mei Zhang, 44, of Boston, were arrested Monday. The court could not provide an interpreter for the women on Tuesday so their arraignment was postponed one day.

According to court documents, both women were arrested during "Operation CICI", a joint Boston Police and FBI undercover operation investigating massage parlors in the downtown area involved in possible human trafficking. Operation CICI took place in March and April.

Court documents state that an undercover officer was solicited for sex by an employee at Tang's Spa at 123 South Street. Feng arrived while officers were there and identified herself as the owner of the establishment. She was arrested for knowingly engaging another person in commercial sexual activity under the Human Trafficking Statute.

Court documents state that officers also executed a search warrant at Eva Hair Salon on Harrison Avenue on Monday. They observed an employee standing over a male patron who was completely nude. That patron admitted to police that he paid the employee money in exchange for sexual acts.

As the individuals at Eva Salon were being identified, Zhang walked in and identified herself as the owner of the establishment. She was arrested for human trafficking.

Seven other suspects were identified at Eva Hair Salon and given Grand Jury Subpoenas to appear at Suffolk Superior Court on Monday.