18 Arrested in Joint US-Columbian Anti-Human Trafficking Operation

Published: 8/4/2023, 1:30:59 AM EDT

Three Israeli nationals were among 18 people arrested in a joint U.S.-Columbian anti-human trafficking operation in Columbia July 26-29.

Among others arrested were 14 Colombian citizens, including a high-ranking Colombian Naval officer and two Colombian National Police officers in the port city of Cartagena, according to a statement put out by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

ICE claims the arrested Israeli nationals had built a sophisticated network of human trafficking, sex tourism, and child exploitation that plagued Colombia for over a decade.

ICE carried out the operation with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Bogota, the HSI Bogota Transnational Criminal Investigative Unit (TCIU), and the Colombian Attorney General’s office.

According to ICE, more than a dozen search warrants were executed, targeting businesses, residences, and hotels known for sponsoring and facilitating the sexual exploitation of women and children.

Operation Vesta

The operation marks the first phase of a joint effort by U.S. and Colombian law enforcement, dubbed Operation Vesta.

Through the operation, around 250 victims were identified, with ICE saying that some were branded with tattoos by the traffickers.

The joint operation primarily focuses on transnational criminal enterprises engaging in human trafficking, sex tourism, prostitution, child exploitation, and conspiracy in Cartagena.

Members of the HSI Bogotá TCIU at the Yuliana Samboni Laboratory are reportedly analyzing forensic evidence obtained during the operation.

The HSI Office of Intelligence and U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Human Trafficking Unit in Miami, as well as Colombian Immigration, provided crucial support to Operation Vesta.

The CBP is also operating under Operation Renegade, which was created to identify victims and targets engaged in human trafficking and prostitution entering or traveling through the United States.

In fiscal year 2017, HSI initiated over 800 human trafficking cases, which resulted in more than 1,600 arrests and close to 600 convictions. Over 500 victims of human trafficking have been identified during that time.