A human trafficking investigation involving several agencies in Southern California has led to the recovery of 33 missing children, the FBI announced.
At least eight of the children were sexually exploited, officials said.
The FBI has seen an increase in trafficking-related crimes in recent years, with the department reporting more than 1,800 pending investigations in November 2020.
More than two dozen law enforcement agencies and non-governmental agencies participated in “Operation Lost Angels”, which started on January 11 as part of Human Trafficking Awareness Month.
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“The FBI considers human trafficking to be modern slavery, and minors involved in commercial sex trafficking are considered victims,” said FBI assistant director Kristi K. Johnson, according to FOX 11 in Los Angeles. “Although this operation has generated funds over a limited period of time with great success, the FBI and our partners investigate child sex trafficking every day of the year and 24 hours a day.
Several of the children returned to commercial sex trafficking after being located by the authorities, either voluntarily or without coercion, requiring the authorities to make several interventions.
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The operation resulted in the arrest on state charges of a suspect in human trafficking and the opening of several investigations.
Not all children were victims of serious circumstances, with a child being the victim of a kidnapping of the parents without custody, the FBI said.
In 2020, the FBI initiated 664 human trafficking investigations across the country, making 473 arrests.
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If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking, call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline at (888) 373-7888 or visit https://humantraffickinghotline.org/.