Additional Coverage:
- San Diego Comic-Con at center of human-trafficking sting (newsbreak.com)
During the 2023 Comic-Con International held in San Diego, an undercover operation by a combined force of federal, state, and county investigators led to the rescue of 10 individuals and the arrest of 14 others on charges related to human trafficking. Typically a venue for pop culture enthusiasts dressed as their favorite characters and celebrity autograph sessions, this year’s event became the focus of the San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force’s efforts.
Authorities targeted individuals who used Comic-Con as a venue to find and exploit victims. According to a statement from California Attorney General Rob Bonta, large gatherings like Comic-Con, which attracts over 100,000 attendees to the San Diego Convention Center, provide an environment ripe for traffickers to profit from their victims.
The operation spanned three days and resulted in the identification of nine potential adult victims of sex trafficking and one 16-year-old victim. Teams including supportive services and child welfare advocates were onsite to provide needed assistance.
San Diego County Sheriff Kelly Martinez condemned the heinous nature of human trafficking, underlining the horrific exploitation involved in forced labor and sex for profit.
Comic-Con organizers, unaware of the sting operation until it concluded, expressed their disturbance over the situation and emphasized their readiness to cooperate with law enforcement to ensure safety.
Long-time attendees shared mixed reactions. Jana Monji, who has attended the event for 12 years, hinted at having observed concerning behaviors at such large-scale gatherings. Meanwhile, Nikhil Shah, an immigration lawyer and panelist at this year’s Comic-Con, expressed surprise and relief over the intervention by law enforcement.
This report was originally published in the Los Angeles Times.
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- San Diego Comic-Con at center of human-trafficking sting (newsbreak.com)