FBI investigators announced they have recovered 105 children from sex-trafficking after a 3-day undercover operation in 76 cities including San Diego.
In an early morning news conference in Washington, D.C., investigators joined the Department of Justice and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) in announcing the results of Operation Cross Country VII.
Agents at the local levels targeted venues where girls and adults are used for commercial sex including streets, truck stops, motels, casinos, internet sites and social media sites.
The San Diego FBI has confirmed to NBC 7 that San Diego was among the cities involved in the operation with six children rescued and six pimps arrested.
Of those recovered, the youngest victim was 14 years old.
“That’s very, very disturbing when you’re talking about a 14 year-old being taken advantage, being prostituted out there by adult males,” said Special-Agent-in-Charge Darrell Foxworth.
On a national level, 150 pimps were arrested for victimizing minors ranging in age from 13 to 17 officials said.
Investigators conducted 28 searches that resulted in seizures of cash, drugs, vehicles and firearms.
Local
Police departments in Chula Vista, Oceanside and San Diego were involved in the operation according to San Diego FBI agents.
