By Suzie Ziegler
POLK COUNTY, Fla. — A crackdown on human trafficking has culminated in 108 arrests, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office said last week. Multiple law enforcement and anti-human trafficking organizations helped with the success of a six-day undercover sting called “Operation March Sadness 2.”
According to the press release, undercover detectives identified prostitutes and their potential buyers with the intent to identify and free any victims who had been forced into prostitution. Detectives also identified and investigated suspects believed to be preying on children. The detectives then arranged meet-up locations where the suspects were arrested.
“The arrests of a human trafficker and four child predators alone makes this whole operation worthwhile,” said Sheriff Grady Judd. “Our goal is to identify victims, offer them help, and find and arrest those who are profiting from the exploitation of human beings. Johns fuel the trafficking and victimization. Where there is prostitution, there is exploitation, disease, dysfunction and broken families.”
Notable arrests included a 32-year-old woman suspected of human trafficking and four suspected child predators.