Thirty-three children were recovered in an anti-trafficking operation in Los Angeles called “Operation Lost Angels,” which was announced Friday by the local FBI office.
The FBI partnered with the Los Angeles Police Department, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and more than two dozen law enforcement and non-governmental partners to launch the recovery initiative on Jan. 11. .
The FBI notes that eight of the 33 recovered children were being sexually exploited when they were found, and that many were considered vulnerable and missing children prior to their recovery.
Two children had been located several times during the investigation at known points of sex trafficking.
One of the minors located had been illegally abducted by a father. Some others were arrested for violation of parole, theft or other offenses.
In addition, an alleged human trafficker was arrested on state charges.
“The FBI considers human trafficking to be the current slavery and minors engaged in commercial sex trafficking are considered victims,” FBI Deputy Director Kristi K. Johnson said in a statement. the FBI and our partners investigate child sex trafficking every day of the year and 24 hours a day. “
According to the FBI, human trafficking cases have increased “significantly” in recent years. During fiscal year 2020, the FBI opened 664 investigations into human trafficking that covered the nation. As a result, 473 traffickers were arrested.
However, as of November 2020, more than 1,800 trafficking investigations were still ongoing, including cases of child sex trafficking.
The FBI urged anyone believed to have witnessed human trafficking to call their local FBI office or local police department.