Over the weekend, authorities in San Diego detained 14 individuals and rescued 10 victims, including a 16-year-old, during an undercover operation aimed at combating human trafficking at the popular Comic-Con International event in Southern California.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced on Wednesday that the arrests were part of a collaborative effort by the San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force, focusing on “recovering” sex trafficking victims and targeting individuals seeking out potential victims at the convention.
The undercover operation was carried out from Thursday to Sunday, with participation from the FBI, DOJ, and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
Comic-Con International attracts over 100,000 fans to San Diego each year, celebrating comic books and pop culture.
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Fourteen individuals were arrested following an undercover human trafficking operation during San Diego Comic-Con.
(Jerod Harris/Getty Images)
Attorney General Bonta stated, “Unfortunately, sex traffickers take advantage of major events like Comic-Con to exploit their victims for financial gain.”
“These arrests send a strong message to potential offenders that their criminal activities will not be accepted. We are thankful for the efforts of our partners in the San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force, whose teamwork is essential. Our office is dedicated to assisting vulnerable individuals in California when they need help the most.” — California Attorney General Rob Bonta
The sting operation focused on apprehending sex buyers while prioritizing the recovery of trafficking victims.
The Attorney General’s office reported that law enforcement went undercover as sex buyers to identify and contact potential victims of trafficking and to arrest their traffickers. As a part of the initiative, they also published undercover advertisements seeking sex to arrest buyers.
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California Attorney General Rob Bonta
(AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli/File)
Officials reported that the three-day operation resulted in 14 arrests of sex buyers, the recovery and offering of services to nine adult potential victims of sex trafficking, as well as the rescue of one 16-year-old girl.
San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl commented, “Through teamwork, we identified and apprehended more than a dozen individuals involved in these illegal activities in our city over the weekend. These outcomes illustrate our joint commitment to fighting human trafficking and holding perpetrators accountable.”
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San Diego Comic-Con International
(Araya Doheny/GC Images)
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Christopher Davis, the acting special agent in charge of HSI San Diego, remarked, “San Diego is proud to host events like Comic-Con, which highlight our vibrant city. However, if anyone attempts to exploit these gatherings to prey on minors, HSI and our law enforcement partners will locate you and ensure you face justice. Our city will not provide a safe haven for alleged predators, and HSI is devoted to supporting the victims of these crimes.”
Fox News Digital has reached out to Comic-Con International for comment.
