Scottsdale police make 173 arrests during weekslong human trafficking operation

PHOENIX — The Scottsdale Police Department made 173 arrests during a weekslong human trafficking operation, it announced Wednesday.

The operation was led by Scottsdale PD’s Human Exploitation and Trafficking Unit and ran from Jan. 21 through Feb. 14.

It involved multiple agencies and focused on identifying and arresting individuals involved in the sex trade and human trafficking, sex buyers and child predators.

Police said that no actual children were used in the operation and that all enforcement efforts were decoy-based.

The charges resulting from the investigation include:

• Child sex trafficking
• Attempted sexual conduct with a minor
• Luring a minor for sexual exploitation
• Prostitution-related offenses and pandering
• Transporting for the purpose of prostitution
• Misconduct involving weapons
• Resisting arrest
• Possession of narcotic drugs
• Outstanding felony warrants
• Trespassing and other related offenses

In addition to the arrests, investigators identified multiple sex trafficking victims and connected them with resources for support and recovery.

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