Human trafficking enforcement during World Cup yields more than 150 arrests in NY and NJ

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Police in New York and New Jersey arrested more than 150 people for alleged offenses related to human trafficking over the course of the month-long World Cup, according to law enforcement agencies from both states.

NYPD officials said their Special Victims Unit made 89 arrests and offered support to 43 survivors, including seven minors. New Jersey State Police made 71 arrests — including 40 alleged buyers of commercial sex, and 31 accused of related offenses — and recovered 97 survivors, according to the New Jersey attorney general’s office.

Both states had undertaken significant preparations ahead of the global tournament, which was expected to create opportunities for exploitation as more than a million visitors flooded in. Human rights issues have surfaced in a number of past FIFA tournaments — especially in countries with fewer worker protections.

Officials at the New York City Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender-based Violence said that the number of arrests shows that their interagency collaboration and extensive outreach efforts were effective.

“I think this was a great example of what we're able to achieve when we work together cross-agency and sector to prepare for large scale events in advance,” said Arizu Sirjani, the office’s senior policy advisor.

Staff members from the mayor’s office unit met with officials from FIFA to prepare them to respond to reports on site at MetLife Stadium. They also partnered with nonprofit It's a Penalty on an ad campaign, and set up resource tables at fan zones in places like the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

“It's really been utilizing what we do normally and strengthening those lines of communication and resources … uplifting the work that we do on a daily basis,” Sirjani said.

The NYPD initiated undercover operations, enforced parole for known human traffickers and sex offenders, reached out to communities and maintained visibility at watch parties, transit hubs and routes to and from the stadium, officials said.

New Jersey launched an awareness campaign in June that included ads at airports, hotels, transportation networks, media platforms and fan venues. Law enforcement officials also sent letters to licensed medical and cosmetology professionals, massage businesses and online payment apps educating them on red flags and reminding them of their legal obligations to prevent trafficking, officials there said.

Leaders of the efforts applauded the arrests, but also highlighted the pervasive nature of human trafficking and the importance of their ongoing work.

“FIFA gave us an opportunity to put the spotlight on human trafficking, but our detectives are working these cases 365 days a year,” Inspector Gary Marcus, commanding officer of the NYPD’s Special Victims Unit, said in a statement.

New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport said that fighting human trafficking will always be a priority for her office.

“We will be unrelenting in providing assistance to victims and ensuring accountability for perpetrators long after the international spotlight fades,” she wrote.

Similarly, both agencies asked residents to continue to be on the lookout for signs of human trafficking, including people who appear to be fearful, anxious, malnourished, depressed, submissive or not able to speak for themselves in public. Anyone who works excessively long hours or owes a large debt could be a victim of labor trafficking.

Anyone who suspects they have identified potential trafficking victims in New Jersey can contact 855-END-NJ-HT (855-363-6548) or Covenant House at 862-240-2453. In New York, they can call the NYPD’s Human Trafficking Hotline at 646-610-7272.

Brittany Kriegstein covers all breaking news around New York City, with a focus on crime and gun violence. Got a tip? Email Brittany at [email protected] .

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