Massive Human Trafficking Bust Sees 368 Arrested, 131 Rescued in California

Three hundred sixty-eight people were arrested and 131 victims were rescued by a California multi-agency taskforce.

Chief Michel Moore of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), stated: “We know that the sex trade is a prolific one that exists throughout this state and throughout our nation.”

“It’s an ugly scar against this great country that exists too oftentimes in plain sight,” He concluded.

Operation Reclaim and Rebuild was conducted in nine counties (Los Angeles, Orange and San Bernardino), Jan. 22-28. reported.

Various federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies teamed up for the effort, including the LAPD, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, and the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

Victims Human traffickingThe age ranges from 13 to 52, which includes children.

To provide resources, investigators partnered with victim advocacy groups. “to help [victims] escape from this life-threatening environment,” He stated.

Investigators investigated advertisements for sexual services and visited massage parlors suspected in sextrafficking.

Moore stated that pimps and panderers were among those who were arrested.

Most of the victims were kidnapped. “threat of death” Moore explained that coercion is used to isolate them from previous support and make them dependent on the trafficker.

Moore continued to point out that “in the old days,” Law enforcement used to view victims of human traffickers as criminals. The modern attitude is different. Victims are now considered criminals.

Combating violence in the industry

Authorities stated that the seven-day task force is just one part of the daily effort by law enforcement agencies to combat sextrafficking.

David Cox, the COO of ZOE International (a non-profit that assists victims), said that victims are brought in by other countries or states.

Cox stated that his organization had cared for 489 victims of sextrafficking in the past year. Some were as young as 11 years.

“In our city, kids are being raped 20 to 30 times a day,” He stated.

Journey Out, a California-based non-profit fighting human trafficking, took care of 256 victims last year, Cox stated.

He stated that some victims of sextrafficking were pistol-whipped and jumped out of moving cars to escape, disappeared, or lost their lives.

“Traffickers are master predators. They’re on the hunt for vulnerable kids and adults,” He stated.

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