SANTA ROSA, Calif. (KRON) -- Five Santa Rosa and Petaluma massage businesses were busted for operating illicit brothels, investigators said this week.

Santa Rosa Police Department detectives partnered with city code enforcement officials to conduct inspections at several massage businesses. In addition, undercover officers posed as clients interested in paying for sex.

Inside Palm Tree Spa at 1242 College Avenue, three women described exploitative business practices and requested assistance leaving the location, police said. Detectives found a second suspected brothel, Daily Care Spa, at 699 Petaluma Boulevard in Petaluma, according to SRPD.

The investigation led detectives and FBI agents to search three more massage businesses on Tuesday in Santa Rosa: Sunset Spa at 858 Third Street, R

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