August 26, 2024
LITTLE ROCK, Ark.— Sixteen adults believed to be victims of human trafficking were offered services, and another 79 local victims were identified as part of Operation BRIGHT (Bringing Rescue and Intervention to Give Hope and Triumph), which took place in Little Rock this month. One suspected trafficker was identified.
Arkansas State Police (ASP) and members of the Arkansas Human Trafficking Council conducted the recovery operation over a single day, offering victims services such as food, lodging, on-site medical services, counseling, therapy, and drug rehabilitation.
“Because of the hidden nature of human trafficking, it is extremely difficult to locate and reach out to victims,” said ASP Director Colonel Mike Hagar. “We have a moral obligation to extend services and support to those who have fallen victim to the manipulation, lies and violence of traffickers. The law enforcement community must work collectively to provide resources to this vulnerable population.”
The multidisciplinary operation consisted of law enforcement and victim service providers from around the state, working together to combat human trafficking, recover victims, and detain traffickers to make our communities safer. Before and during the operation, intelligence analysts and law enforcement officers identified local victims. Leading up to the operation, two children were removed from exploitative, vulnerable, and unstable situations. All minors were taken into protective custody.
The operation was made possible through the coordinated efforts of representatives from federal, state, local, and non-government organizations, including the Arkansas Attorney General’s Office, Little Rock Police Department, Saline County Sheriff’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Cabot Police Department, Benton Police Department, Harrison Police Department, Arkansas Fusion Center, along with victim advocates and medical personnel from the Regional Intervention of Sexual Exploitation “RISE,” The Genesis Project, Into the Light, ACASA, Saline County Safe Haven, Lonoke County Safe Haven, and the NWA Forensic Nurse Team.
During a similar Hot Springs operation in May, 25 adults were identified, and seven were contacted and offered services.
Operation BRIGHT was a part of a multi-state human trafficking operation, Coast to Coast.
Law enforcement agencies and service providers from Arkansas, New Jersey, Ohio, Georgia, Florida, Texas, Oklahoma, Iowa, New Mexico, California, Minnesota, and Washington were involved. Private organizations also assisted including the Human Trafficking Training Center, Safe House Project, and Nurses Against Trafficking.
During the operation 94 adults were contacted and offered services including food, lodging, medical services, drug rehabilitation, counseling/therapy and childcare. 1 juvenile under age was taken into protective custody before being turned over to state social services. 39 adults were contacted, detained or identified as part of the operation.
ASP cannot release any further details now as the investigation is ongoing.
Human Trafficking continues to be a problem in Arkansas and across the United States, and law enforcement will continue to take it seriously. If you have information or suspect human trafficking in your area, please get in touch with the Arkansas Human Trafficking Council at [email protected] or the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888.