Four people arrested August 24 by the King County Sheriff's vice squad have been released without being charged.

John Urguart, a spokesperson for the department, said the suspects were released because no charges had been filed against them within the required 72-hour period after arrest.

The suspects were arrested in a raid at the Crystal Spa, 29500 Pacific Highway South, on suspicion of being a front for prostitution. Police from King County, Federal Way and the FBI were involved in the investigation.

Search warrants were issued in mid-August and upon searching, officers found condoms, lubricants and credit card receipts for unspecified services. Under its current ownership since 1997, the spa, across the street from Sacagawea Park, offered "therapeutic" massage and was listed in the Yellow Pages as offering both massage and skin care.

The 68-year-old owner and three employees, two of them Federal Way residents and the other from Tacoma, were set free pending charges. Their names have not been released.

The spa owner was booked into the Regional Justice Center for Investigation of Criminal Profiteering, Money Laundering, Promoting Prostitution and Leading Organized Crime, according to Urquart.

He also said "There's a considerable amount of follow-up to be done. Lots of business records were seized and need to be gone through."

During the raid, several thousand dollars in cash was also seized, as well as vehicles and other property believed purchased with the proceeds from the illegal enterprise.