In a significant law enforcement operation, authorities in California arrested 14 individuals and rescued 10 victims of human trafficking during the annual San Diego Comic-Con Convention. The operation, which took place from Thursday to Saturday, was announced by California Attorney General Rob Bonta on Tuesday.
The sting involved local police and state task force officers who posed as sex work clients to identify and contact potential trafficking victims and their traffickers. Undercover ads soliciting sex were also used as part of the strategy.
“Unfortunately, sex traffickers capitalize on large-scale events, such as Comic-Con, to exploit their victims for profit,” Bonta said in a statement. “These arrests send a clear message to potential offenders that their criminal behavior will not be tolerated.”
The operation resulted in the arrest of 14 sex traffickers and the recovery of 10 victims. Child Welfare Services and other advocacy groups were on-site to provide support to the rescued victims.
San Diego County Sheriff Kelly Martinez emphasized the severity of human trafficking. “There is no more insidious crime than human trafficking,” Martinez stated. “The coercion and violence which enslaves people for profit and places them into forced labor or sex is criminal. As the Sheriff, I support the efforts of all our justice partners in holding perpetrators accountable.”
This successful operation highlights the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat human trafficking, particularly during large-scale events where traffickers are known to exploit victims. The presence of support services during the sting ensured that the rescued individuals received immediate care and assistance.
As authorities continue to crack down on trafficking networks, these coordinated efforts demonstrate a commitment to protecting vulnerable individuals and bringing traffickers to justice.
