A major human trafficking operation conducted over the weekend at Comic-Con in San Diego resulted in the arrest of 14 individuals, according to state officials. The San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force, which spearheaded the operation, deployed undercover officers who posted advertisements soliciting sex to apprehend the suspects. Some officers also posed as sex buyers to identify and rescue potential victims.
Victims Recovered and Supported
Authorities successfully recovered 10 sex trafficking victims during the operation, including a 16-year-old girl. The victims were provided with immediate support services. According to a statement from California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s office, the task force was vigilant in monitoring “sex buyers using the San Diego Comic-Con Convention to seek out potential victims,” as reported by the Los Angeles Times.
Comic-Con, a major annual event attracting over 100,000 attendees, was specifically targeted by the task force due to its large crowds and the potential for criminal activities. “Unfortunately, sex traffickers capitalize on large scale events such as Comic-Con to exploit their victims for profit,” Bonta stated, as per ABC7. “These arrests send a clear message to potential offenders that their criminal behavior will not be tolerated.”
Law Enforcement and Support Services
The operation, which spanned three days, saw the involvement of various support services, child welfare services, and juvenile support service advocates on-site to assist the victims. San Diego County Sheriff Kelly Martinez emphasized the gravity of human trafficking, stating, “There is no more insidious crime than human trafficking. The coercion and violence which enslaves people for profit and places them into forced labor or sex is criminal.”
Comic-Con International, the event organizers, expressed their concern and lack of prior knowledge about the operation. “Obviously we find this very disturbing,” the organization said in a statement. “While we were not made aware of this operation, it is our understanding that the arrests were made outside of the event.” They further assured their ongoing cooperation with law enforcement entities, emphasizing their readiness to assist in any way possible.
Commitment to Justice
Christopher Davis, acting special agent in charge for Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) San Diego, underscored the commitment to pursuing justice for victims of human trafficking. “When people use these events as an opportunity to prey upon minors, HSI and our law enforcement partners will find you and bring you before a court of law to face criminal charges,” Davis said in a statement to USA Today. “There is no place for alleged predators to operate in our city.”
This year’s Comic-Con concluded on Sunday, July 28, at the San Diego Convention Center, drawing attention not just for its pop culture highlights but also for the significant law enforcement efforts aimed at protecting vulnerable individuals.