14 Arrested in Human Trafficking Sting at Comic-Con; Undercover Operation Rescues 10 Victims
San Diego officials have announced the arrest of 14 individuals in a human trafficking crackdown conducted during Comic-Con over the weekend. The operation, led by the San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force, involved undercover officers who posed as sex buyers to identify and rescue victims.
The sting resulted in the recovery of 10 victims, including a 16-year-old girl, who were provided with support services. The operation aimed to target individuals exploiting the large influx of attendees at the annual Comic-Con event, which attracts over 100,000 fans of comics and pop culture to San Diego each year.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta emphasized that sex traffickers often exploit major events like Comic-Con to profit from vulnerable individuals. “These arrests send a clear message that criminal behavior will not be tolerated,” Bonta stated.
The investigation, which spanned three days, was a joint effort involving state and local authorities. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) also participated, with Acting Special Agent in Charge Christopher Davis stressing that predators would face legal consequences for their actions.
San Diego County Sheriff Kelly Martinez condemned human trafficking as “the most insidious crime,” highlighting the violence and coercion that drive this illegal activity.
Comic-Con International, the event’s organizer, was unaware of the operation until after its completion. The organization expressed concern over the situation and reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with law enforcement to prevent such crimes.
(With inputs from agency)
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