Team Herald
PANJIM: The issue of illegal massage parlours and spas flourishing along Goa’s coastline has been the subject of controversy for the last several years, with the government in the past stating that one out of hundred such parlours is legal.
Goa Police revealed that in the last five years they have booked 40 cases against spas operating in the State. The spas were raided for carrying out illicit activities and operating illegally without proper permission.
Of the 40 cases, 34 are being tried in courts while four have been closed and two are under investigation.
In 2012, police booked five cases while in 2013 there were three cases, in 2014 and 2015 there were nine cases each, in 2016 it was eight cases and in 2017 six cases were registered.
Goa Police conducted several raids in the last couple of years and the arrests have revealed elements of human trafficking linked to the business.
Police stations in coastal areas have also received complaints of cheating from tourists who visit parlours after being promised a full body massage by guides.
