BREMERTON, Wash. — Bremerton police say detectives identified more than 20 potential human trafficking victims in the local community during a nationwide operation in September.
The Bremerton Police Department participated in Operation Coast to Coast, an initiative involving law enforcement agencies and community partners across the country.
According to BPD, detectives identified the potential victims through online advertisements posted in the Bremerton area.
During the operation, detectives contacted several women and offered to connect them with local victim advocacy organizations for immediate assistance, support services, and resources for recovery.
Police said detectives also established investigative connections between suspected traffickers and potential victims as part of ongoing efforts to disrupt trafficking networks.
Nationwide, Operation Coast to Coast involved more than 200 agencies across 22 states. According to BPD, the operation resulted in:
- 74 adult victims identified
- Five juvenile victims identified
- 125 arrests
- More than $1 million seized
Bremerton police said the department will continue working with victim advocates and other law enforcement agencies to identify trafficking victims and investigate people suspected of exploiting them.