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Florida Makes Huge Progress on Curbing Human Trafficking

As human trafficking continues to plague Americans and the world, there is widespread bipartisan support to eradicate the problem in Florida, and now the Florida Sheriffs Association Task Force (FSA) has announced huge progress on combatting human trafficking.

The Florida Sheriffs Association (FSA) Task Force released the results of Operation Breaking Chains, a strategic initiative in 16 Florida counties that focused on reducing human trafficking throughout the state and prosecuting those responsible for trafficking individuals. During this month-long operation, 29 victims were recovered, 31 traffickers were identified, and a total of 363 arrests took place during the Task Force Operation Breaking Chains.

“Amplifying the safety on our roads and waterways is crucial for all Floridians, including our children, and those who visit the Sunshine State,” said FSA President and Gilchrist County Sheriff Bobby Schultz. “The dedicated enforcement of state laws that deal with businesses suspected of human trafficking and online operations will help to keep us all safe.”

The following are the statewide totals:

16 total Sheriff’s Offices participated in the month-long operation.
29 victims recovered
31 traffickers identified
4 traffickers arrested
324 interdiction stops made both highway and waterway
4 victims rescued for interdiction stops
Over 1,000 hours doing knock and talks at multiple business locations
363 total arrests
7,591 social media and sign messages distributed
33 non-government community-based organizations assisted during the operation

Pasco County Sheriff and chair of the FSA Task Force Chris Nocco thanked "FSA President Sheriff Schultz for his leadership of the FSA and this operation as well as the 16 counties that participated in this important operation."

Operation Breaking Chains contributes to two of the FSA business operations goals: to foster effective law enforcement and crime prevention and to promote the activities of Sheriffs.

Jim McCool

Jim is a graduate of Florida State University where he studied Political Science, Religion and Criminology. He has been a reporter for the Floridian since January of 2021 and will start law school in 2024.