Police Crack Down On Child Solicitation, Human Trafficking In Howard County

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Last Thursday, detectives with the Laurel Police Department worked with other law enforcement agencies to serve multiple search warrants at a business in Laurel and a home in Ellicott City as part of their ongoing investigation into suspected sex trafficking.

Two adult victims were located and removed from the situation, then connected with support services. Evidence found at both locations indicates the business was being used as a front for sex trafficking activities. Detectives also recovered several phones believed to be used to coordinate the operation, the police department stated.

Laurel detectives have located and identified the individual who is believed to be responsible for organizing and trafficking the victims, both in Laurel and throughout the DMV. Criminal charges are pending, officials said.

No injuries occurred were reported.

Howard County Police conducted a three-day covert operation in Columbia this week in an online child solicitation investigation. The operation was located in the 9500 block of Transfer Row in Oakland Mills. This location was part of an ongoing, active undercover operation.

"The goal of proactive operations like this is to make clear that this type of activity will not be tolerated in Howard County. Predators seeking to harm children should be warned to stay out of this jurisdiction," the police department stated.