Law enforcement agencies and anti-trafficking advocates say they are preparing for more than just soccer matches as the World Cup arrives in Southern California.
With matches scheduled in Los Angeles and World Cup-related events planned in San Diego and Tijuana, authorities say they are increasing efforts to prevent human trafficking and exploitation that can accompany large-scale events.
San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan said traffickers often seek opportunities presented by major sporting events and large crowds.
“Unfortunately, it’s exactly where the traffickers go. They target. these games to bring these victims who’ve been enslaved in prostitution.”
According to Stephan, traffickers may try to capitalize on the large number of visitors expected to attend matches and related events.
“Knowing that there’s going to be a large audience that are males and sometimes they’re there without their family, they’re alone to watch the game, so an opportunity for them to have the temptation of buying somebody.”
In Florida, 12 men were arrested during an undercover human trafficking operation days before FIFA matches scheduled to take place in Miami-Dade County. According to the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office Human Trafficking Task Force, the men traveled to meet what they believed were children between the ages of 13 and 15 for sex.
San Diego authorities say enforcement efforts will focus not only on traffickers but also on buyers.
“No buying no trafficking,” said Marisa Ugarte, director of the Bilateral Safety Corridor Coalition. She has worked to combat human trafficking in San Diego for more than 20 years. She said one of the most common misconceptions is that trafficking only involves kidnappings or strangers.
“It happens in plain sight because they have already been befriended on the internet.”
Ugarte said traffickers often use promises of travel, entertainment or special experiences to lure young people.
“It’s so easy to tell a kid or young girl, ‘You want to see a [soccer] game in Mexico? Let’s go to Guadalajara, let’s go to Mexico City, OMG we’re going to have so much fun’ and bye, they’re gone,” said Ugarte.
Officials also point to recent changes in California law. District Attorney Summer Stephan said AB 379, which took effect in January, increases penalties for those seeking to exploit minors.
“Buying a minor will be a felony. And we plan on enforcing it that way. And a minor includes 16, 17-year-olds; anybody under 18 is a teenager. That’s a felony crime.”
Over the past week, local and state law enforcement have been cracking down on sex trafficking. NBC 7’s Cecilia Treviño has details on a special operation that resulted in the arrests of more than 100 people in San Diego County.
San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl said the department’s Special Events Unit will work World Cup events alongside other agencies. He said the department’s vice unit and joint task force will be monitoring potential human trafficking activity.
“It’s a top priority for us to address, but when we have this high-scale, high-profile events come to town, a lot of trafficking comes from outside of town, and we want to make sure we’re focusing on human trafficking issues,” said Chief Wahl.
The San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force, which includes local, state and federal agencies, will also be active during the World Cup.
Stephan said undercover operations require significant resources but can have a major impact.
“One operation we did recovered 16 people, with eight were children. So it makes, you know, every resource put in there well worth it,” said Stephan.
Authorities and advocates say prevention remains the most effective tool against human trafficking. They encourage parents to monitor their children’s online activity, know who they are communicating with, and be aware of where they are going and with whom.
Anyone who observes suspicious activity is encouraged to contact law enforcement or the National Human Trafficking Hotline.
This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC San Diego. AI tools helped convert the story to a digital article, and an NBC San Diego journalist edited the article for publication.