Human trafficking crackdown leads to arrests of 202 suspects in Scottsdale

PHOENIX — Multiple Valley police departments teamed up for a human trafficking crackdown that led to 202 arrests, according to the Scottsdale Police Department.

The operation to arrest sex buyers, child predators and suspects involved with sex trafficking in Scottsdale took place from Jan. 22 to Feb. 15, police said.

Charges included sex trafficking, prostitution, pandering, luring a minor for sexual exploitation, attempted sexual conduct with a minor, possession of narcotic drugs, possession of dangerous frugs and felony flight.

Of the 202 arrests, there were 53 felonies and 149 misdemeanors, police said.

Which other agencies took part in recent human trafficking crackdown?

Scottsdale PD’s Human Exploitation and Trafficking Unit (HEAT) led the operation, which was decoy-based.

That means no children were directly involved in the crackdown, police said.

Other organizations that were part of HEAT’s 12-day operation were the Goodyear and Surprise police departments, along with the sheriff’s offices of Yavapai and Pinal County.

The Arizona Attorney General’s Office and Maricopa County Attorney’s Office also pitched in.

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