Thirteen sex buyers were arrested in an undercover human trafficking operation conducted by more than 75 law enforcement officers from various agencies across San Diego County.
"Operation Big Bad John" was spearheaded by the San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force (HTTF) and the National City Police Department (NCPD), according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department (SDSO).
Officers also seized more than 17 grams of methamphetamine and several ecstasy pills.
"The mission of the HTTF is to disrupt and dismantle human trafficking and child exploitation organizations through a comprehensive, collaborative and regional law enforcement," according to SDSO.
A number of law enforcement agencies, including SDSO and NCPD, as well as the Escondido, Chula Vista, Carlsbad, Coronado, La Mesa, Oceanside and San Diego police departments work with HTTF.
Other agencies include the local FBI, ICE, IRS, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol and U.S. Marshals Service.
The 13 sex buyers will be booked into the San Diego County Detention Facility.
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