NH AG Shutters ‘Known Illicit Massage Businesses’ In Londonderry, Manchester, Merrimack, And Salem

CONCORD, NH — The New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office shuttered more than 40 percent of the state’s “known illicit massage businesses” since launching a targeted human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation campaign in November 2024.

John Formella, the state’s attorney general, said state and federal partners, including an anti-human trafficking nonprofit, The Network, were involved in the effort after locating at least 15 of the businesses in the state. Officials have confirmed closures of illicit massage businesses in Derry, Dover, Hudson, Londonderry, Manchester, Merrimack, Salem, and Somersworth, as well as others.

“These (were) not real spas — they are hubs of organized trafficking hiding in plain sight,” Formella said. “They profit from the abuse of vulnerable women and have no place in our state.”

Part of the effort involved a landlord engagement program, where officials worked with property owners to identify businesses, terminate their leases, and shut them down. Formella said the state would continue to work with The Network and others to identify and shut down more of the businesses in the state using regulatory enforcement and criminal investigations. The strategy targets traffickers and sex buyers, not the women being exploited, he said. Formella hoped the effort would make the state an inhospitable environment for the illegal and damaging conduct.

“If you are buying sex at these businesses, you are funding human trafficking,” he said. “You are part of the problem — and we will hold you accountable. If you are running one of these operations, know that our efforts will continue until every one of these businesses is shut down.”

The attorney general’s office said a commission will be studying the issue of human trafficking in the state after the passage of HB 405. The bill also made it a felony for any person or business to knowingly permit a place under their control to be used for prostitution. It also established a felony charge for anyone under 18 or involved in the compulsion of another by force or intimidation involved in prostitution.

The NH Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence applauded the effort, calling it a significant step toward disrupting human trafficking in the Granite State.

“This marks a significant step forward in New Hampshire’s fight against human trafficking, but our work is far from finished,” Coalition Program Director Meg Chant said. “Trafficking continues to impact individuals in all 10 counties across the state, and we have a collective responsibility to do more — to protect survivors, hold perpetrators accountable, and prevent future harm.”

Along with the justice department, The Network, Homeland Security Investigations, New Hampshire State Police, Department of Labor, and Human Trafficking Task Force, police in Bedford, Bow, Concord, Derry, Dover, Exeter, Hooksett, Hudson, Londonderry, Manchester, Merrimack, Nashua, Salem, and Somersworth were involved in the effort.

The New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office urged landlords and residents “to remain vigilant and report any suspicious businesses.”

Owners who may suspect a business is operating on their property were encouraged to contact the NH DOJ Anti-Trafficking Hotline at 603-271-9703.

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