Des Moines police arrest suspect on human trafficking charges

Des Moines police have a suspect in custody after a months-long investigation into human trafficking in the city. “The most concerning thing is that when we got in there, they were conducting business the way we expected,” said Sgt. Paul Parizek of the Des Moines Police Department. Des Moines police launched an investigation in January after neighbors complained about suspicious activity at a massage parlor in the 800 block of Hull Avenue. Police say a search warrant was executed Wednesday and three adult female victims were found inside the store. Police say there is evidence suggesting forced labor and commercial sexual activity “They have their identification documents and that is a strong indicator when you look at these cases where someone is being held and forced to do something against their will.” said Parizek. Investigators also found $80,000 in cash. “That could be an indicator that the demand is there as well, and that’s very concerning because one of the challenges with that is that you could save these three women, arrest this one person, and someone is waiting to fill that gap.” said Parizek. Huirong Zhou, 42, of Des Moines, was arrested and charged with three counts of human trafficking. Zhou was booked into the Polk County Jail.” Download the free KCCI app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google PlayGet the latest headlines from KCCI

DES MOINES, Iowa –

Des Moines police have a suspect in custody after a months-long investigation into human trafficking in the city.

“The most concerning thing is that business was going as we expected when we got in there,” said Sgt. Paul Parizek of the Des Moines Police Department.

Des Moines police launched an investigation in January after neighbors complained about suspicious activity at a massage parlor in the 800 block of Hull Avenue. According to police, a search warrant was executed Wednesday and three adult female victims were found inside the store.

According to the police, there is evidence of forced labor and commercial sexual activity.

“It looks like these victims were not allowed to receive their identification documents, and that is a strong indicator when you look at these cases where someone is being held and forced to do something against their will,” Parizek said.

Investigators also found $80,000 in cash.

“That could be an indicator that the demand is there as well, and that’s very concerning because one of the challenges with that is that you could save these three women, arrest this one person, and someone is waiting to fill that gap.” said Parizek.

Huirong Zhou, 42, of Des Moines, was arrested and charged with three counts of human trafficking. Zhou was booked into the Polk County Jail.

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