Federal authorities say they uncovered a sex trafficking ring in the French Quarter in recent days, rescuing five women and arresting eight men.
The women were forced to come here to work as prostitutes for pimps, authorities said.
Agents with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement have been heavily targeting human trafficking and counterfeit goods with the influx of tourists here for this weekend’s Super Bowl.
None of the men arrested for trafficking were area residents. Their identities were not immediately released.
Eight arrested and five rescued in NOLA human tracking bust
“These are not willing participants, these are victims of human sexual trafficking,” Cox said. “These people are forced into this activity and we treat them as victims.”
The New Orleans Saints and New Orleans Hornets, with the Archdiocese of New Orleans, enlisted the help of New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu, New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson and his wife Gayle, and others to record a public service announcement to help raise awareness of human trafficking. In it, Archbishop Gregory Aymond referred to it as “modern day slavery” and “a powerful evil.”
Saints owner Tom Benson said in the spot that “a major event, such as the upcoming Super Bowl can drastically increase this tragedy.”
The public service announcement urges victims or those with knowledge of human trafficking crimes to call (888) 373-7888.
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