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A seemingly innocuous tip about a quiet, suburban residence in California quickly escalated into a significant human trafficking bust, leading to the rescue of nearly 20 children, the discovery of residential brothels, and over 600 arrests across the state, authorities revealed on Tuesday.
During a press conference, officials detailed the scope of the week-long initiative, called Operation Reclaim and Rebuild. This operation, which involved numerous agencies, resulted in the rescue of 12 adults and five children within Los Angeles County alone.
The investigation was set in motion by a single report from a vigilant citizen who had noticed suspicious activities at a home in Walnut. This initial tip-off triggered extensive surveillance efforts, ultimately exposing several trafficking hubs in nearby suburban areas.
The operation culminated in 611 arrests, encompassing suspected traffickers and numerous individuals accused of purchasing sex. However, authorities have yet to clarify how many of those apprehended will be charged with serious felony human trafficking offenses as opposed to lesser solicitation violations.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna emphasized the significance of community involvement, noting that the entire statewide crackdown on human trafficking was ignited by one concerned citizen’s call to action.
Officials said some of the victims rescued came from as far away as Illinois, Oklahoma and Missouri, underscoring the scope of the human trafficking ring.
“We have traffickers that are putting barely teenage girls on the streets of Los Angeles to be victimized, repeatedly, over and over again,” said LAPD Deputy Chief Alan Hamilton. “These children did not come from one place. They came from Chicago, from Oklahoma, from Missouri, tribal lands … and from communities right here in the state of California.”
LAPD Deputy Chief Alan Hamilton said some of the human trafficking victims came from as far away as Chicago, Oklahoma, Missouri and tribal lands. (Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department)
Authorities have not released the identities of suspects or the exact locations of the residential brothels.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman called the trafficking network “modern slavery,” saying the county has become a major hub for that type of crime.
“How embarrassing that I could actually say that we have corridors of human sex trafficking throughout Los Angeles County,” Hochman said. “It’s also a dubious distinction that Los Angeles County is one of the epicenters of human sex trafficking in the entire nation.”
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman called human trafficking “modern slavery.” (Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department)
Hochman’s office is now processing cases tied to the arrests, while law enforcement agencies say they will continue monitoring known trafficking corridors to prevent brothels from reopening in residential neighborhoods.
Authorities urged residents to report suspicious activity, emphasizing that the investigation was launched because one person spoke up.