Over 500 Arrests In Statewide Human Trafficking Operation

With all the bad news these days, its great to get news like this.

And who would’ve thought it would come from Los Angeles.

Over a week long operation, more than 95 agencies worked together to gather up many that were involved in human trafficking.

Along the way they rescued 54 adults and 11 juveniles.

ABC 7 reports:

LOS ANGELES (KABC) — More than 500 arrests were made and dozens were rescued in a week-long, statewide anti-human trafficking operation.

The 10th annual Operation Reclaim and Rebuild, which was conducted last week, involved more than 95 federal, state and local agencies, including personnel from the Los Angeles Regional Human Trafficking Task Force.

During a press conference Tuesday morning, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said authorities made 539 arrests, including 40 suspected “sexual traffickers or exploiters” and 271 suspected “sex buyers.” Also, 54 adults and 11 children were rescued, including a 14-year-old girl, Luna said.

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It was unclear how many arrests were made in Los Angeles County.

Great to see results like this!

539 arrests, including 40 suspected "sexual traffickers or exploiters'' and 271 suspected "sex buyers.'' Also, 54 adults and 11 children were rescued, including a 14-year-old girl, https://t.co/L4wu3LpYOI

— Doug Walker (@DougWalker9) January 30, 2024

Fox LA news adds:

“Human trafficking and child exploitation are devastating crimes that prey on some of the most vulnerable members of our community,” Luna said.

“This week-long operation demonstrates that if you engage in human trafficking activities, harm our children, and destroy lives, there will be absolute consequences; and there is no refuge for predators in the state of California,” Luna said.

In one Los Angeles County operation, task force personnel conducted an undercover “sex buyer” operation on a stretch of Holt Avenue in Pomona, Luna said. Twelve males, two of whom are registered sex offenders, were arrested on suspicion of solicitation of prostitution, Luna said.

In San Diego County, a 17-year-old girl was at the Parkway Plaza Mall in El Cajon when she was approached by a man who told her “she should be a model” and gave her a business card that had a phone number on it, Luna said.

The girl called the number, and she was told that she would be “doing date sex with guys at hotels.” The girl told her mother, who contacted authorities, and the suspect was arrested on suspicion of human trafficking of a minor and other offenses, Luna said.

This is from less than a year ago and it states 300+ were arrested.

How many people are involved in this?

These arrests need to happen more often!

LOS ANGELES (KABC) — “Hidden In Plain Sight All Across California Are Human Traffickers & Their Victims”

In an ONLY 3 DAY Human-Trafficking Sting in California Leads to 339 Arrests

Nearly 50 victims were rescued. More than a dozen of them were children. pic.twitter.com/WpDjFnImpr

— Wall Street Apes (@WallStreetApes) July 26, 2023

Stay vigilant out there.