TAMPA, Fla. — Sixty missing or endangered children were rescued in the Tampa Bay area as part of a multi-agency crackdown on child exploitation and trafficking, officials announced Tuesday. Dubbed “Operation Dragon Eye,” the joint effort was led by the U.S. Marshals Service and supported by 20 partner agencies, including the Florida Attorney General’s Office, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and Department of Children and Families.
The operation resulted in the arrests of eight individuals on a range of charges, including human trafficking, child endangerment, drug possession, and drug trafficking. One suspect has been formally charged with human trafficking, and two additional trafficking cases remain under investigation.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, who joined U.S. Marshal William Berger in announcing the results, emphasized the state’s commitment to child safety…