Edison police seize $600K stuffed in teddy bear during massage parlor raid - Central New Jersey News

[Suzanne Russell]

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Police seized more than $750,000, including $600,000 hidden inside a teddy bear, along with a Tesla and luxury watches.Four other individuals were arrested and charged with engaging in soliciting prostitution.The spa's license has been suspended by the Edison Health Department.
EDISON – The owner of a Woodbridge Avenue massage parlor has been charged with money laundering and promoting prostitution following a yearlong undercover police investigation.

The Edison Police Department's Vice Unit executed a raid on May 8 at Bliss Spa, 2595 Woodbridge Ave. as well as the township home of owner Daniela DiIenno, 47, in which more than $750,000 in assets were seized and four others arrested, police said.

Detectives seized $650,000 in cash from Dilenno’s home, including $600,000 sewn inside a large teddy bear, as well as a 2025 Tesla Model Y and Rolex and Cartier watches, police said.

DiIenno was charged with money laundering, a first-degree crime, promoting organized street crime, promoting prostitution and maintaining a house of prostitution. She was being held at the Middlesex County Adult Correction Center pending a detention hearing.

Also arrested were Vanessa Bosada, 30, of Maspeth, New York; Eduarda Beilfus, 26, of Newark, Maria Palacios, 45 of Yonkers, New York and Alisson Cunningham, 26, of Roselle. They were charged with engaging in soliciting prostitution and released after being issued a summons, police said.

The Edison Health Department has issued multiple ordinance violations to the spaand suspended its license to operate.

"This operation is a direct result of the commitment and coordination between departments and agencies that have worked tirelessly to target and dismantle organized criminal enterprises operating under the guise of legitimate business," stated Police Chief Thomas Bryan. "The amount of cash seized and the elaborate concealment methods used show just how sophisticated and profitable these illegal operations can be. We will continue our efforts to rid our community of these establishments."

Edison began cracking down on illegal businesses in 2022 which led to the closure of nine spas with alleged connections to prostitution and narcotics.

The police department's vice unit received support for the investigation and raid from the Edison Police SWAT Team and Criminal Investigations Bureau, Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office Special Investigations Unit and Gangs, Guns and Drugs Task Force, Edison Health Department and New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs Enforcement Bureau.

The investigation is continuing. Anyone with information related to the case or similar illegal activity is asked to contact the police department's vice unit at 732-248-7529 or [email protected].

Email: [email protected]

Suzanne Russell is a breaking news reporter for MyCentralJersey.com covering crime, courts and other mayhem. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.