Human Trafficking Operation Leads To 22 Arrests: St. Pete Police

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — Law enforcement officials from around Tampa Bay, including the St. Petersburg Police Department, conducted a two-day human trafficking operation on Oct. 22 and 23 that led to 22 arrests and to three potential adult trafficking victims, St. Petersburg police said.

The purpose of this operation was to rescue victims of human trafficking, law enforcement officials said.

Detectives set up at a motel at an undisclosed location and targeted online ads for commercial sex with human trafficking indicators, authorities said.

When people who responded to the ads showed up at the motel to engage in prostitution, investigators screened them to see if they were potential human trafficking victims, detectives said.

Authorities presented victims with an opportunity to willingly go with social service counselors, police said.

The 22 arrested were charged with various violations including prostitution, narcotic drug violations and outstanding warrants, St. Pete police said.

In addition to the St. Petersburg Police Department working this operation, other agencies included Human Exploitation and Trafficking Unit (HEAT) along with Tampa Bay Human Task Force members representing the Tampa Police Department, Bradenton Police Department, Homeland Security, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, FBI and several social service agencies.