In a recent development underscoring tensions with China, authorities have been tackling human trafficking through an initiative known as “Operation Coast to Coast.” This operation has targeted trafficking rings in multiple states, with Fox News providing on-the-ground coverage from Austin, Texas.

Here are some notable insights from the coverage:

While it remains unclear how many of the victims are of Asian origin versus those abducted domestically, the issue is evidently widespread:

The challenge lies in dismantling these organizations, which often resemble a Hydra; eliminate one, and others quickly emerge. This isn’t a challenge unique to the United States; similar illicit “massage parlors” are prevalent in China. There, these establishments operate with relative transparency, even employing young men to recruit clients near tourist accommodations.

Operation Coast to Coast has spanned MO, OK, CA, & NY, with > 60 victims found nationwide already.

“It’s all Chinese organized crime…The money is going back to China. The victims are coming from China.” pic.twitter.com/nkfK3j2Gct

— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) October 17, 2025

Here are some key excerpts from that video:

(Unclear)… embedded with the Austin Department as they raided illicit Chinese massage parlors, part of a massive operation targeting human traffickers and organized crime networks. It was just one of many human trafficking stings taking place across the country, in Operation Coast to Coast, which saw more than 60 victims rescued, including juveniles.

It’s not known how many of the victims may have come from Asia, and how many were taken up by the traffickers right here in the United States. But it appears that this problem is a pervasive one:

Austin police officer: Most of these places have deep, complex roots with overseas, Asian-Chinese criminal enterprises. We’re going to close this one down today. But it’s going to be very easy for them to open up another one anywhere else in Austin or anywhere.

Ay, that’s the rub. Dealing with organizations like this is a lot like battling the Hydra; cut off one head, and two more grow to take its place. This isn’t just an American problem, either; these kinds of shady “massage parlors” are common in China, where they not only operate fairly openly, but send young men around to solicit clients in front of hotels frequented by tourists. 

Here in the United States, they aren’t quite so brazen, but they are still operating.

Fox News’ Brooke Taylor: Hi Bill, good morning, well, we exclusively embedded with the Austin Police Department while they raided these illicit massage parlors. Now, they weren’t just going after traffickers and these organized crime networks. They were also trying to rescue as many victims as possible. 

At least this head of the beast has been removed.