The Methuen Police Department began the investigation of Beauty Garden Spa for alleged human trafficking after receiving complaints from nearby residents. MPD

City officials in Methuen shut down a second suspected front for human sex trafficking on Monday, as a manager of a Methuen spa pleaded not guilty to human trafficking and prostitution charges for allegedly running a house of ill repute from a business the city closed the prior day, according to officials and court records.

Suping Zhu, 38, of Flushing, N.Y., entered her plea in Lawrence District Court, where she was ordered held on $25,000 cash bail, according to legal filings.

Her lawyer declined to comment on the case.

Zhu’s next hearing is scheduled for Oct. 24, records show.

Methuen Mayor D.J. Beauregard said the cit

See Full Page