BROWARD COUNTY, FL — The Broward Sheriff’s Office is reporting new arrests and victim rescues tied to a human trafficking enforcement push that ramped up around World Cup matches.
BSO said its Division of Homeland Security and Cyber Crime, the South Florida Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, and partnering agencies carried out Operation Red Card, aimed at people seeking to exploit minors for commercial sex acts.
BSO said the operation resulted in seven men arrested on charges that include human trafficking of a minor, traveling to meet a minor, solicitation of a minor, possession of MDMA and violation of probation.
BSO said the work was done with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), the Broward State Attorney’s Office (SAO), the Nancy J. Cotterman Center (NJCC) Human Trafficking Unit, Fort Lauderdale Police Department, Hollywood Police Department, Lauderhill Police Department, Coconut Creek Police Department, and BSO’s Department of Detention.
Over the course of the operation, BSO said 10 victims were rescued and connected to resources including shelter, medical care and counseling. BSO said one of the victims was identified as a teenage runaway from out of town, reunited with her family and offered support services.
BSO said the operation also produced leads for detectives on additional human trafficking investigations. Those cases could result in further charges and arrests, but BSO said details cannot be released because the investigations are ongoing.
Authority for the operation sits with BSO and its partner agencies, including federal and state law enforcement and the Broward State Attorney’s Office. BSO said it remains committed to human trafficking enforcement in Broward County.
For residents in Boca Raton and across Palm Beach County, the takeaway is the same: BSO is asking the public to report suspected trafficking and to use established reporting channels.
BSO encouraged anyone who suspects human trafficking to contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888, text “BeFree” to 233733, or call the BSO non-emergency number at 954-764-4357 (HELP). For emergencies and in-progress crimes, dial or text 911.
BSO also directed the public to www.sheriff.org/humantrafficking and https://humantraffickinghotline.org for more information on human trafficking and prevention.
