Nine victims of human trafficking were rescued in Missouri on Friday night, according to authorities.
The joint operation at the Holiday Inn East hotel in Columbia enabled the involved agencies to make contact with two children and detain two suspects, Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt said Saturday in a statement.
“Since taking office, I’ve been dedicated to combating human trafficking across the state. Through my Office’s Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force, we have conducted several successful human trafficking operations, including last night’s operation in Columbia,” said Schmitt.
Victim services, including food and onsite medical services as well as drug rehabilitation and therapy, were offered to those rescued.
“Thanks to the hard work and cooperation of local, state, and federal law enforcement, we were able to rescue 9 victims,” he continued. “We’re working every single day to make Missouri the most inhospitable state in the union to human traffickers, and last night’s operation was another step towards that goal.”
Multiple agencies, including the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Columbia Police Department, also took part in the operation.
“Traffickers show no respect for their victims and prey on them for personal gain,” said Columbia Police Department Assistant Chief Jeremiah Hunter.
Hunter, who runs the department’s Investigations Bureau, noted the department will continue working with Schmitt and others “to pursue those who prey on others and to assure this activity no longer occurs in Columbia.”
The investigation is ongoing.
