Comic-Con Human Trafficking Sting Operation Results in 14 Arrests

An anti-human trafficking operation during Comic Con resulted in 14 arrests and 10 victims being offered services, the California attorney general’s office announced Wednesday.

Authorities said traffickers see large events like the convention as an opportunity.

“Comic-Con brings over 100,000 visitors to San Diego to participate in these events. Most of them are here to enjoy the San Diego attractions,” said Dan Owens, deputy chief of the San Diego County District Attorney’s Sex Crimes and Human Trafficking Division. “However, there are also individuals who come to San Diego to engage in commercial sex activities.”

A team of regional law enforcement officers worked together on the undercover investigation from July 25 to 27. They arrested 14 people who were trying to buy sex. Authorities said one of the victims found during the operation was a 16-year-old.

Officials and advocates from the United States and Mexico gathered in Chula Vista Thursday for a binational conference on human trafficking.

The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department said the San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force has received 86 leads so far this year, resulting in 104 arrests and 52 identified victims, including 20 children.

Owens said there are signs of sexual exploitation to look out for in children.

“These include running away, truancy, chronic absence from school or a sudden drop in grades, a change in their peer group or drifting away from long-time friends,” he said.

In both children and adults, he added, other signs include drug use, weight loss, easy bruising and use of multiple cell phones.