84 children recovered, 120 arrests made following FBI human trafficking sting

WASHINGTON, DC (CNN) – The FBI said 120 traffickers were taken into custody and 84 minors were recovered as a result of its Operation Cross Country XI, a nationwide effort that focuses on underage human trafficking.

The youngest victim recovered this year was a 3-month-old girl, and the average age of victims recovered during the operation was 15 years old.

In one instance, FBI Denver said one person offered an undercover officer two young children for sexual purposes – the 3-month-old and a 5-year-old – for $600. The suspect, a “family friend,” was arrested.

The FBI said 27 women were also arrested for prostitution, and four pimps were cited in the operation.

The operation took place this year in 55 FBI field offices and involved 78 state and local task forces and hundreds of law enforcement partners.

Several international partners took part in the operation, including Canada (Operation Northern Spotlight), the United Kingdom (Aident 8), Thailand, Cambodia and the Philippines.

Officers staged operations in hotels, casinos, and truck stops, as well as on street corners and Internet websites.

FBI Director Christopher Wray issued a statement saying the feds “have no greater mission than to protect our nation’s children from harm. Unfortunately, the number of traffickers arrested – and the number of children recovered – reinforces why we need to continue to do this important work.”

Children recovered during the operation are given help from state protective services and FBI’s Victim Services Division.