Nearly 40 people were arrested in the tri-counties area during a recent operation aimed at cracking down on human trafficking.
The sixth annual Operation Reclaim and Rebuild enforcement operation was executed during January, which is National Human Trafficking Awareness Month. Law enforcement officials say the operation was focused on rescuing victims of human trafficking and aiding them in rebuilding their lives.
The Santa Barbara, Ventura, and San Luis Obispo County Human Trafficking Task Forces reportedly arrested a total of three pimps, 22 female potential victims of exploitation, and 14 solicitors of prostitution.
Across California, 70 federal, state and local law enforcement agencies participated in the operation, arresting a total of 518 people statewide.
