Cobb County has pulled the plug on Asian Wellness Massage on Canton Road in Marietta, rejecting the renewal of its business license due to serious violations and allegations of illicit activities.
🔍 The Details: The county’s license review board was tipped off by the attorney general’s office in 2022 about Asian Wellness Massage possibly advertising illicit services on adult websites. During an inspection, a county detective discovered a bed and suitcases, signs pointing to potential human trafficking. The spa was also hit with citations for employing unlicensed workers and not keeping employee lists updated. Owner Lingxia Zhang denied any wrongdoing, claiming the bed was simply for an employee’s personal use.
📊 By The Numbers:
- Location: 3372 Canton Road, Marietta
- Violations: Unlicensed workers, outdated employee lists, possible human trafficking signs
🌐 The Big Picture: This crackdown follows Cobb County’s decision to pause issuing health spa licenses for six months amid growing concerns over illegal activities. Despite a compliance check earlier this year showing no illicit activity, the spa’s repeated violations sealed its fate.
🔎 Why It Matters: The closure of Asian Wellness Massage sends a clear message: Cobb County is serious about cleaning up businesses that flout the rules.
🧵 In Context: In Roswell, local authorities have been intensifying their efforts to combat human trafficking and illicit activities within massage parlors. A significant crackdown in September 2023 led to the dismantling of a large human trafficking network linked to six massage parlors across the metro Atlanta area. This operation involved over 70 officers and resulted in the arrest of three key figures.
Similarly, in Brookhaven, police have made multiple arrests in recent years at local massage parlors involved in prostitution. An anonymous tip in May led to a raid at a massage parlor on Buford Highway, marking the third such incident in three years.
📅 What’s Next?: Asian Wellness Massage must close unless Zhang files a court appeal. She’s also barred from applying for a new business license for a year. Meanwhile, V Massage, another spa on Canton Road, will face its license renewal hearing on August 13.
The form you have selected does not exist.
