Police seize massive narcotics cache at unlicensed Dallas 'sexual encounter center'
Israel Luna, 53; Marc Tuton, 42 (Source: Dallas Police Department)
DALLAS - Two men were arrested and a massive cache of narcotics was seized following a raid on a warehouse operating as an unlicensed "sexual encounter center" in Northwest Dallas, police said Monday.
"Sexual encounter center"
What we know:
The operation, conducted April 17 as part of the Dallas Police Department’s "Safe Streets" initiative, targeted a business in the 2500 block of Manana Drive. According to an arrest affidavit, the business is called Spayse Studios. Detectives with the Special Investigations Division (SID) identified the location as an unlicensed sexually oriented business.
According to investigators, patrons paid a $35 cover fee to enter the warehouse to engage in sexual contact, a violation of the city’s Sexually Oriented Business ordinance.
During the execution of the search warrant, authorities detained 48 individuals and recovered a significant quantity of illegal drugs. According to police, they seized 11,034.7 grams of THC hash oil, 671 grams of psilocybin mushrooms, and 227 grams of marijuana.
Vice detectives also seized more than $11,000 in cash, computers, hard drives, and a cargo van investigators believe was used in the production of pornography.
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Suspects arrested
Police identified the primary suspects as Israel Luna, 53, and Marc Tuton, 42.
What's next:
Luna, who is identified as the owner of the business, faces many charges, including first-degree felony possession of a controlled substance (over 400 grams), promotion of prostitution, possession of marijuana, and operating a sexually oriented business without a license.
An arrest affidavit alleges Luna was "very public on social media about producing sexual content and publishing events." The affidavit has information that Luna is accused of hosting events and people would engage in sexual intercourse while being filmed.
Tuton, who was the manager of the business, was charged with operating a sexually oriented business without a license. He told investigators he would host and manage events on the first and third Friday of each month.
While dozens were detained during the initial raid, police confirmed that 46 individuals were released at the scene without charges.
Dig deeper:
The raid involved a multi-unit response, including the Place Network Investigations Unit and the Northwest Prostitution Task Force. The department stated the crackdown is part of an ongoing commitment to combat human trafficking and sexual exploitation in the city.
The Source: Information in this article is from the Dallas Police Department.