City officials in Methuen on Tuesday shut down three more day spas suspected of running as human trafficking fronts, bringing the total to five establishments closed since Sunday , Mayor D.J. Beauregard said.

The city’s Department of Health, Human Services, and Inspections issued cease-and-desist orders to Oriental Spa, 119 Swan St., Yellow Lilly Day Spa, and Lavender Spa, both located at 17 Baldwin St.

The three spas have also been referred to the Methuen Police Department for criminal investigation, Beauregard said.

“We are moving aggressively to identify and close these businesses, to crack down on the evildoers who profit from human suffering, and to hold landlords, traffickers, and johns accountable,” Beauregard said in a statement.

“The demand created by johns is what fuels thi

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