After a multiagency operation dismantled a human trafficking ring in the Tampa Bay area and rescued 10 victims, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody announced a new statewide Strike Team to combat trafficking.
“Biden’s border crisis is emboldening transnational criminal organizations, and as a result, we are seeing horrific human trafficking cases right here in Florida,” Moody said. “The disturbing facts of this case highlight the need for our new statewide Strike Team, and demonstrate how this expert team of investigators, prosecutors, analysts, and victims’ advocates can help coordinate efforts to take down trafficking operations and rescue victims. Until Biden does his job and closes the border, we must continue to develop new methods to deal with international crime rings that exploit Biden’s reckless agenda to perpetuate crime in Florida.”
According to Moody’s office, the Strike Team is comprised of Attorney General Moody’s Statewide Prosecutors, Florida Department of Law Enforcement analysts and agents, Hillsborough and Pasco County deputies, as well as counter-human trafficking investigators and victim advocates to assist local law enforcement in identifying and tracking down leads in trafficking cases across the state.
“By working together, we have a better chance at stopping bad actors, like the suspects in today’s case, from abusing and taking advantage of victims who, in some cases, are just trying to survive,” Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Mark Glass said. “I am grateful to Attorney General Ashley Moody for her continuous support and to our agents and agency partners for their diligence in making sure these criminals can’t take advantage of vulnerable people anymore.”
In addition to combating trafficking directly, the team provides intelligence, guidance and support to law enforcement agencies throughout the state and is available to coordinate emergency victim support services. The team works directly with the new statewide human trafficking tip line, 855-FLA-SAFE, to quickly review reports of suspected trafficking and engage with appropriate law enforcement agencies to rescue victims.
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