Fourteen individuals were arrested and ten victims were rescued in a human trafficking sting conducted during Comic-Con over the weekend, according to authorities.

The operation, aimed at rescuing victims of sex trafficking and targeting sex buyers at the San Diego convention, took place from July 25-27. This effort was led by the San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force under the California Department of Justice.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta stated, “Sex traffickers unfortunately exploit large events like Comic-Con to profit from their victims. These arrests demonstrate our commitment to combating such criminal activities and sending a strong message that these offenses will not be tolerated. We are thankful for the dedicated work of our partners in the San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force, whose collaboration has been crucial. Our office remains dedicated to supporting vulnerable Californians and providing the necessary assistance and guidance.”

The anti-human trafficking operation involved law enforcement officials going undercover as sex buyers to identify and contact potential victims while also arresting their traffickers. Authorities placed undercover ads to attract sex buyers and make arrests.

After rescuing nine adult victims and one 16-year-old minor, support service advocates for both adults and juveniles were available to offer assistance as needed.

San Diego Sheriff Kelly Martinez stated, “Human trafficking is an abhorrent crime characterized by coercion and violence that exploits individuals for profit through forced labor or sex. As Sheriff, I stand with our justice partners in holding offenders accountable. I commend the focus placed on the recent convention to identify and rescue trafficking victims.”

The operation was a collaborative effort involving various agencies, including the Department of Justice, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, California Highway Patrol, FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, National City Police Department, San Diego City Attorney’s Office, San Diego County District Attorney’s Office, San Diego County Probation Department, San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, San Diego Police Department, Southwest Border High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California. The Naval Criminal Investigative Service also provided assistance.