Summary of the Story:
- Fourteen people were arrested, and 10 victims were rescued in a human trafficking sting at San Diego Comic-Con.
- The San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force conducted a three-day operation before the weekend bust.
- A 16-year-old girl was among those rescued.
- Law enforcement officers went undercover as buyers and posted ads to identify and arrest traffickers.
Fourteen people were arrested, and 10 victims were rescued in a high-stakes human trafficking sting operation at San Diego Comic-Con.
San Diego Comic-Con sting operation ends in crucial arrests
The San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force successfully conducted a three-day operation leading up to the weekend bust at the San Diego Comic-Con Convention.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced that the operation resulted in the arrest of fourteen individuals and the rescue of ten victims, including a 16-year-old girl.
“Unfortunately, traffickers capitalise on large-scale events such as Comic-Con to exploit their victims for profit,” Bonta stated.
“These arrests send a clear message to potential offenders that their criminal behaviour will not be tolerated.”
According to reports, to identify and apprehend traffickers, law enforcement officers posed as buyers and posted ads seeking services as part of their undercover strategy.
The iconic comic book and pop culture event, held at the San Diego Convention Center, draws over 100,000 attendees every summer, providing an opportune setting for traffickers to exploit vulnerable individuals.
“When people use these events as an opportunity to prey upon minors, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and our law enforcement partners will find you and bring you before a court of law to face criminal charges,” said Christopher Davis, acting special agent in charge for HSI San Diego.
“There is no place for alleged predators to operate in our city.”