Quito authorities shut down brothel disguised as spa

Quito's Metropolitan Control Agency (AMC) has closed an establishment in the La Y sector that was operating under the guise of a spa. The venue, situated in a residential neighborhood in the northern part of the capital, had been adapted from a house to facilitate its illicit activities.

Prior to the intervention, the establishment was promoted via instant messaging applications. It advertised services that included therapeutic massages, with prices ranging from $20 to $80. Investigations revealed that these services were allegedly followed by sexual encounters. This operation is part of ongoing controls by the AMC to ensure businesses comply with authorized economic activities within the Metropolitan District of Quito.

Gustavo Chiriboga, a metropolitan supervisor for the AMC, reported that the agency has closed 21 establishments of this nature in the first six months of 2026. This figure represents 75% of the total closures recorded throughout 2025 for businesses such as nightclubs, cabarets, and brothels.

Common reasons for closure cited by the AMC include clandestine operations, unsanitary conditions, the sale or consumption of illicit substances, and the development of unauthorized economic activities. The municipal entity emphasizes that these controls aim to verify compliance with current regulations and necessary operating permits. Those found responsible for such businesses, classified under economic activity category III, could face fines of up to 15 unified basic salaries, potentially exceeding $7,000, in addition to other administrative sanctions.