The FBI has recovered more than 200 victims of human trafficking in a nationwide operation known as “Operation Cross Country”, federal agents have announced. During a two-week operation to battle exploitation, the agency found 59 victims of child sex trafficking and child sexual exploitation and 59 missing children. “Sex traffickers exploit some of the most vulnerable members of our society and cause their victims unimaginable harm,” Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said. The operation was in collaboration with the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). Agents were able to identify or arrest at least 126 suspects facilitating child sexual exploitation, along with 68 suspected human traffickers. “Human traffickers’ prey on the most vulnerable members of our society, and their crimes scar victims – many of them children – for life. The FBI’s commitment to combatting this threat will never waver,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray.
He continued, “This operation would not be possible without the commitment and collaboration from our state and local law enforcement partners, and it demonstrates our continued focus on actively pursuing the criminals responsible for these heinous violations and connecting those impacted with dedicated victim services and resources.” According to officials, the youngest person found was 11 years old, with the average age being 15 years old. This recovery operation comes as President Biden has been under fire from critics saying his administration has essentially allowed an open border policy that has fueled human trafficking. Thousands of undocumented minors have been brought into the U.S. without an accompanying family member. Reports indicate more than 85,000 undocumented children are now missing and unaccounted for inside the U.S.
One study estimated that 60% of unaccompanied migrating children are caught by cartels and exploited through child pornography and drug trafficking. At a recent Energy and Commerce Committee hearing, Rep. Kat Cammack questioned Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra on how the Biden administration is handling the crisis. The FBI states “Operation Cross Country” is just one facet of the Bureau’s ongoing efforts to protect the trafficking victims. “Behind every statistic, there is a person with the right to live a life free from child sex trafficking and exploitation. As a society we must work to ensure the protection of those impacted by this heinous crime,” said NCMEC President Michelle DeLaune. “We applaud the FBI and their partner law enforcement agencies for their unwavering dedication to protecting children. Their tireless efforts in combating crimes against children send a powerful message that child sexual exploitation will not be tolerated.”
Source: CBNNews
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