A suspected brothel masquerading as a quiet Long Island business was busted when Suffolk County cops swooped in and arrested two women in a human trafficking probe tied to a Commack Road property, authorities said.
Detectives with the Suffolk County Police Human Trafficking Investigations Unit executed a search warrant at 1005 Commack Road around 12:55 p.m. after neighbors complained about suspicious activity at the location for weeks, police said.
Inside, investigators allegedly uncovered an illicit sex operation advertised online, along with cash and electronic devices now being combed for evidence of a larger trafficking network.
Maria Marin-Barco, 31, of Flushing, and Andreina Campos-Herrera, 33, of Dix Hills, were both charged with prostitution after detectives said the pair used internet sites to solicit customers.
The women were issued Desk Appearance Tickets and will be arraigned at a later date.
Authorities have not ruled out the possibility that additional victims or suspects could be connected to the operation as detectives continue digging through seized phones and electronics.
The raid also exposed a bizarre twist: online business listings reportedly identified the address as “Hope Enrichment,” an unclaimed preschool listing on Yelp.
It remains unclear whether any legitimate school ever operated there.
Town of Huntington Code Enforcement officials and the Fire Marshal also descended on the property, slapping the homeowner with multiple summonses tied to alleged violations discovered during the raid.
Human trafficking investigators say suburban brothels often hide in plain sight, tucked inside residential neighborhoods and commercial storefronts while operating through online ads and encrypted messaging apps.
Police are urging anyone with information about activity at the Commack Road location to contact the Human Trafficking Investigations Unit at 631-854-7512 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.