A sweeping “Coast to Coast” anti-human trafficking operation, driven by a powerful coalition of technology firms, non-profits, and law enforcement, has resulted in 34 arrests and the identification of 71 victims—68 adults and three minors.
The initiative was a coordinated effort involving over 150 law enforcement agencies across 15 states.
The successful operation highlights the growing effectiveness of collaborative, technologically-advanced strategies in fighting human trafficking, an illicit industry valued at a staggering $99 billion annually that affects every community in America.
A Model of Collaboration
The operation was spearheaded by the Human Trafficking Training Center (HTTC) and coordinated through the Iowa Fusion Center. Key partners in the coalition included:
- Safe House Project (SHP)
- Delta Air Lines
- Marinus Analytics, which provided its AI-driven Traffic Jam technology to investigators
- Our Rescue
- Western States Intelligence Network (WSIN)
- Mid States Organized Intelligence Network
“Operations like this one are most successful when law enforcement, non-profit organizations, and private industry seamlessly collaborate to disrupt human trafficking networks as effectively as possible,” stated William Walker, Senior Vice President of Law Enforcement Operations at Our Rescue.
Technology and Training Drive Results
A critical component of the mission’s success was the targeted training provided by the HTTC and the use of cutting-edge technology. According to HTTC CEO and founder Dan Nash, a former Missouri State Trooper, a lack of specialized training has historically hindered anti-trafficking efforts, noting that only 17% of U.S. law enforcement agencies currently have training in identifying and investigating human trafficking…