Some civilians assisted law enforcement officers during an anti-human trafficking operation that led to the arrest of multiple suspects in central Alabama, local authorities announced.
A multi-agency Operation Stop Human Trafficking was conducted in Jefferson and Shelby counties from October 22nd to 25th, resulting in the arrest of 34 suspects from the Shelby County Drug Enforcement Task Force (SCDETF). announced November 8th. Investigators also identified numerous victims during the operation and provided assistance and resources.
SCDETF led the operation with support from the Department of Homeland Security and numerous other federal and local law enforcement partners, according to the statement.
The operation uncovered “multilateral and foreign coordination networks that facilitate human trafficking,” SCDETF said. (Related: Report: 10-year investigation leads to massive sex trafficking busts at 9 companies)
“We do everything in our power to identify and assist victims of human trafficking,” said Lt. Clayton Smith, SCDETF commander. “We will also work just as hard to jail those who prey on these victims and hold them accountable for these horrific crimes.”
Mr. Smith also thanked “all law enforcement partners, victim advocates, and civilian support staff who helped make this operation a success.”
SCDETF said it would not provide any further information at this time because the investigation into the network was sensitive in nature and investigators were also concerned for the safety of the victims.
Alabama identified 57 human trafficking cases involving 134 victims in 2023. According to National Human Trafficking Hotline (NHTH).
From 2019 to 2023, California had the highest number of human trafficking victims (11,254), followed by Texas (7,369) and Florida (6,904). According to To Jocelyn Law Office.
According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), more than 8,700 human trafficking cases were reported nationwide between 2013 and 2022. Said on July 30th. The FBI added that the number of outbreaks has been steadily increasing since 2013.
According to NHTH, approximately 9,619 human trafficking cases involving 16,999 victims were confirmed nationwide in 2023. “The use of the word incident does not indicate law enforcement involvement in this situation,” NHTH added.
In the decade from 2011 to 2021, the number of suspected human traffickers prosecuted more than doubled, from 729 to 1,672. According to Submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics. Reportedly, by the end of 2021, approximately 1,657 human trafficking convicts were serving their sentences in state prisons.
