Over the weekend, a major human trafficking bust unfolded at Comic-Con in San Diego, leading to the arrest of 14 individuals.
Authorities reported that these suspects were involved in a trafficking ring, with their operation targeting the massive convention.
Among the 10 victims rescued was a 16-year-old girl, highlighting the severity of the situation.
The suspects, described as ‘sex buyers’ by officials, were identified through a sophisticated sting operation. Undercover officers posed as clients in a series of ads and interactions to trap the traffickers.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta emphasized the seriousness of the crackdown, stating, “Sex traffickers exploit large-scale events like Comic-Con for profit.
These arrests send a strong message that such criminal actions will not be tolerated.”
Convention Organizers’ Response
The arrests, which took place from Thursday through Saturday, were executed by a multi-agency task force made up of both federal and state agents. Despite the scale of the operation, San Diego Comic-Con’s organizers claimed they were unaware of the sting.
They expressed their shock and reaffirmed their commitment to working with law enforcement to ensure the safety of their events.
Ongoing Investigation
The popular Comic-Con, which draws over 100,000 attendees each summer to the San Diego Convention Center, recently wrapped up with buzz surrounding new film releases like *Deadpool* and *Wolverine*.
As visitors flocked to various exhibits, undercover agents worked diligently to identify and apprehend the traffickers.
They also successfully used online ads to catch those preying on vulnerable individuals.
Law Enforcement’s Message
Christopher Davis, acting special agent in charge for Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) San Diego, underscored the resolve of the authorities: “When predators use events like Comic-Con to exploit minors, we will find them and hold them accountable in court.
There is no room for such behavior in our city.”
As of now, the identities of the suspects and victims have not been released, as the investigation continues.
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