Los Angeles Mayor and Federal Government Declare War on Human Traffickers, Major Undercover Operation on Figueroa Street Saves Dozens of Minors!

In a joint effort to dismantle the human trafficking ring along the Figueroa Corridor, federal agencies have joined forces with Los Angeles law enforcement to launch a strategic response to the sexual exploitation of minors, CBS News Los Angeles reports. The response is being spearheaded by a coalition including the Los Angeles Police Department, the FBI and Homeland Security that is determined to prosecute those involved in trafficking human suffering, specifically targeting a notorious 3.5-mile stretch of Figueroa Street notorious for prostitution and other forms of exploitation.

Mayor Karen Bass stressed the need to recognize that human trafficking is not a disease confined to far-flung places, but one that runs rampant within the city limits. In a statement obtained by NBC Los Angeles, she said she believes the joint effort marks the beginning of the end for such atrocities in the area, which have been a problem for decades. Police have recently taken significant steps by rescuing dozens of minors, including an 11-year-old, from traffickers.

A grim depiction of the daily reality in the Figueroa Corridor likened the area to an “outdoor brothel,” where young girls, some barely in their teens, are forced into sexual slavery while their traffickers maintain a close and controlling proximity, as described by U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada during the press release, and echoed by NBC Los Angeles. The initiative has notably already resulted in indictments, including those of two Anaheim individuals accused of luring and assaulting a 13-year-old girl.

Among other encouraging developments, the concerted efforts of law enforcement have led to the conviction and incarceration of human traffickers like Donavin Dwayne Brandford, who are now serving life sentences for their heinous criminal activities, as reported by NBC Los Angeles. Community efforts led by Mayor Bass, both as a former organizer and current federal legislator, have been instrumental in this ongoing fight; she helped reauthorize the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, responsible for the prevention, protection, and prosecution of human trafficking cases, particularly foster children who are disproportionately affected by trafficking and homelessness.

Those with relevant information about child sex crimes are strongly encouraged by officials to come forward and contribute by calling the FBI’s Los Angeles office or submitting tips online, with details provided in a press release from the mayor’s office. Together, the coalition will continue its multifaceted approach to rescuing victims and prosecuting traffickers, reinforcing the message that child exploitation will not be tolerated in the City of Angels.