An annual operation targeting human trafficking rescued 11 minors from possible exploiters and resulted in 547 arrests statewide, including more than 230 in Los Angeles County, authorities announced this week.
“Operation Reclaim & Rebuild” between Jan. 26 and Feb. 1 involved hundreds of law enforcement agencies across the state including the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Regional Human Trafficking Task Force, the Los Angeles and Long Beach police departments and the LA County District Attorney’s Office.
“The operation resulted in the arrest of 547 suspects statewide for various criminal charges. Three hundred and thirty-three exploiters were arrested, and 11 minors were rescued from possible exploiters. In addition, 166 adults were identified as trafficking victims and received the appropriate services,” said an LAPD statement.
“Our actions saved one 14-year-old, three 15-year-olds, one 16-year-old, and two 17-year-olds from lives that were being exploited by abuse and danger. These results underscore that when law enforcement, government agencies, advocacy groups, and community members join forces, we can make a difference,” Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell said in a statement.
The goal of the initiative was to rescue “victims of sexual slavery and human trafficking, apprehending their captors, and disrupting the demand for vulnerable individuals,” the LAPD statement said.
The minors were placed in protective custody and were reported to be receiving support from the Department of Children and Family Services. This comes at the end of this year’s National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month.
“Human traffickers are essentially modern-day slave masters who should be on clear notice that we will find them, arrest them, prosecute them, and seek maximum time behind bars for their despicable acts of preying on young girls and boys. This is not a threat but a promise,” LA County District Attorney Hochman said in a news release.
More than 230 arrests were made by LAPD, LASD and the Long Beach Police Department, Hochman said.
New cases announced by Hochman included one against a suspect accused of one felony count of human trafficking of a minor for a commercial sex act; and one felony count of pandering an adult. Another suspect was charged with felony pimping. Three more suspects were charged with a felony count each of pandering by encouraging.
The arrests and rescues announced Tuesday were in line with Operation Reclaim & Rebuild results for recent years, with hundreds of arrests statewide reported in 2024, 2023 and 2022.
Authorities stressed that while Operation Reclaim & Rebuild happens each year for a week, efforts to deter trafficking and help victims continue year-round.
Anyone with information on human trafficking-related crimes was urged to call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by logging on to www.lacrimestoppers.org. Tipsters may remain anonymous.