The women, Yoo Im Ok, 63, and Young Soon Kim, 58, were charged with solicitation of prostitution and practice massage therapy without a license, Captain Bobby Martin of the Roanoke Rapids Police Department said in a statement.

The women are South Korean and have listed their address as 1010 Julian R. Allsbrook Highway, which is the Lily Spa.

Martin said the North Carolina Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy is furthering its investigation of the business.

Neither Ok or Kim’s name came up on a license verification check on the board’s website.

Martin said the investigation which led to the search warrant execution was based on community complaints “that something illegal was going on” and that there was constant traffic going in and out of the establishment both during daylight and evening hours. “We conducted a thorough investigation which led to us being able to obtain the search warrant.”

Martin declined comment when asked whether Ok or Kim made offers of sexual service to customers or whether sexual service was requested by customers.

In North Carolina solicitation of prostitution reflects that suggestions or discussions of sexual service in exchange for money are made.

Martin described Ok and Kim as workers at the spa. Investigators continue to determine ownership of the business.

Martin said narcotics officers Jamie Hardy and Chris Babb worked in conjunction with the state board. “I feel like Hardy and Babb did an excellent job coordinating with the massage board to protect legitimate businesses in the community.”

Complaints began a few months before the officers began their investigation.

Martin said in the statement he officers located various pieces of evidence to support the allegations noted in the search warrant. He declined to elaborate.

Both women received $2,000 bonds and September 5 court dates. Officer N. Velazquez assisted.

Meanwhile, Roanoke Rapids Planning and Development Director Kelly Lasky said she is still waiting on a full report from the police department and massage board before she considers any action.

She said she will be looking for information which shows evidence of activities not in the establishment’s business use permit took place.