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FBI rescues 200 sex trafficking victims during nationwide operation

Operation Cross Country XIII also resulted in the location of more than 100 minors and the arrest of 126 suspects for sexual exploitation and trafficking offenses.

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Verónica Silveri Pazos

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The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has rescued 200 victims of sex trafficking as a result of a "national law enforcement campaign" under the Operation Cross Country XIII - 2023. The operation also led to the identification of 126 suspects - some arrested - for child sexual exploitation and trafficking offenses and 68 other suspects of human trafficking:

Through targeted operations and collaborative efforts, Operation Cross Country achieved important milestones in recovering victims, apprehending offenders and raising public awareness of these heinous crimes.

The two-week campaign also resulted in the location of 59 missing children and 59 other child victims of child trafficking and sexual exploitation:

The FBI and its partners located 59 minor victims of child sex trafficking and child sexual exploitation crimes and located 59 children actively missing during their operation.

An operation in partnership with other agencies

The operation was conducted by the FBI in partnership with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). It also had the cooperation of other federal agencies, state and local police departments, and social service organizations across the country:

Law enforcement agencies carried out targeted operations to identify and arrest criminals, dismantle criminal networks and prevent further harm to victims. The identified suspects will be subject to further investigation for possible charges.

Attorney General Merrick Garland stated that the operation will remain in place to "prevent human trafficking; increase detection, investigation and prosecution of human trafficking crimes; and expand support and services to protect and empower survivors."

Sex traffickers exploit and endanger some of the most vulnerable members of our society and cause their victims unimaginable harm. This operation, which located 59 actively missing children, builds on the tremendous work the FBI has done over many years to rescue child victims and arrest those responsible for these heinous crimes.

FBI Director Christopher Wray thanked everyone who worked to rescue the victims and apprehend the criminals. He further stated that the "operation would not be possible without the commitment and collaboration of state and local law enforcement partners, and demonstrates our continued focus on actively pursuing the criminals responsible for these egregious violations and connecting those affected with dedicated victim services and resources."

Human traffickers prey on the most vulnerable members of our society, and their crimes scar the victims, many of them children, for life. The FBI's commitment to combat this threat will never waver and we will continue to send our message that these atrocities will not be tolerated.
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