Police crack down on human trafficking during World Games in Birmingham

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — A secret law enforcement operation during the World Games led to dozens of arrests and rescues related to human trafficking in Birmingham.

The operation, known as “Operation Games STOP (Strategic Trafficking Operation)” involved Homeland Security Investigations, as well as different local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. During the operation, which lasted approximately four weeks, the following arrests were made in Birmingham:

34 arrests of commercial sex buyers
Six arrests on human trafficking-related charges
Eight arrests of adult men for online enticement of a minor and traveling to meet a minor for sex

In addition, the following rescues were also made:

15 adult sex trafficking victims identified and provided services
Four minor victims of labor trafficking identified and provided services
Two minor sex trafficking victims identified and provided services
11 minor victims of online sexual exploitation and sextortion identified
Seven adult labor trafficking victims identified and provided services
Seven missing and endangered minors were located, recovered, and provided services

“Major sporting events like this routinely attract transnational criminal organizations and other bad actors involved in illicit criminal activity such as human exploitation crimes, drug trafficking and the sale of counterfeit merchandise,” Special Agent in Charge Katrina W. Berger said in a statement from Homeland Security. “Working in conjunction with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners we executed a successful operation that disrupted potential threats to public safety, rescued many human trafficking victims and connected them with the trauma-informed victim support services that they will need to recover.”

Law enforcement agencies that took part in the operation include: