Twelve men were arrested during an undercover human trafficking operation in Homestead as authorities increase enforcement efforts ahead of the 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. Investigators say the suspects made payments before being taken into custody by law enforcement officers.

“We caught them as they made payment, knowing, knowing that they were purchasing an underage person,” Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle said. “They knew they were buying a child. They had intended to exploit and have sex with these children.”

Authorities said the suspects range in age from 20 to 50 years old and agreed to pay between $300 and $800.

Rundle said some of the men negotiated to have sex with more than one minor, while others agreed to pay for multiple sexual acts.

The operation was conducted by the State Attorney’s Office Human Trafficking Task Force and was part of preparations for the influx of visitors expected during the FIFA tournament.

Officials said the operation was designed to identify and arrest individuals involved in human trafficking and child exploitation before the start of the matches.

“And now that we know more people are coming, we know that while the good people come, and they want to come and enjoy our beautiful community, this magic city that we have, these incredible games that we’re hosting, we know when the good guys come, the bad guys come too,” Rundle said.

Authorities said approximately 70 sworn officers participated in the operation.

The U.S. Attorney General provided funding to South Florida for FIFA-related anti-human trafficking efforts. According to officials, that funding will support two to three additional undercover operations per week during the games, along with public awareness campaigns.

Officials said awareness efforts include digital displays at airports and throughout the community, billboards, flyers, QR codes and hotline information.

The State Attorney’s Office is also partnering with Uber, Airbnb and the Hotel and Restaurant Association as part of those efforts.

Officials said the 12 men arrested in the operation are being held without bond.