ALABASTER, Ala. — In a decisive move, the Alabaster City Council voted unanimously to revoke the business licenses of Grace Spa and Tru Acupressure, two establishments at the center of a human trafficking investigation. The decision came after a public hearing where no one spoke in support of Grace Spa, and only one voice defended Tru Acupressure.

Both spas have been under scrutiny for months as part of a multi-agency investigation led by the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office. Clayton Smith, Commander of the Shelby County Drug Enforcement Task Force, said, “We had a confidential informant who entered that establishment and during his massage he was propositioned for sexual services, and we have those on audio and video as evidence so there is no way they can test that those things aren’t happening.”

Tru Acupressure was represented by an attorney who argued that the spa’s owner, Lucy, routinely instructed employees against offering illegal services. However, Smith emphasized, “Whether an owner or manager say they know it is going on or not, it is going on, and it is upon us as law enforcement officers not only to keep the community safe but keep some of the females who are working at that business who may not want to be in that type of situation to help them as well.”

The council’s decision aligns with law enforcement’s recommendations, and criminal charges are pending against three individuals connected to the case, with two currently jailed without bond on human trafficking charges.

Smith also plans to address the Chelsea City Council to request the revocation of the business license of a third establishment involved in the investigation.