For Immediate Release
January 13, 2023
 
BROOKSVILLE, Fla. – Florida Department of Law Enforcement yesterday attended Florida Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez and Florida Highway Patrol’s human-trafficking and drug-trafficking prevention efforts roundtable.  This multiagency event is an opportunity to collaborate on best practices for fighting human trafficking and drug trafficking, and to discuss the importance of bringing traffickers to justice.   
 
Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez said, “Governor DeSantis and I are committed to doing everything we can to end human trafficking in Florida. Today, we heard from our law enforcement partners about their efforts to hold these perpetrators accountable. I am proud that our administration has exposed these vicious crimes and criminals for what they are. As we highlight Human Trafficking Awareness Month, I want to commend our law enforcement agencies for their continued commitment, sacrifice and courage to combat these criminal enterprises that threaten the safety and wellbeing of Floridians.”
 
Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Mark Glass said, “Stamping out human trafficking and drug trafficking in Florida is a top priority of FDLE and our law enforcement partners throughout the state. Not only do these crimes dehumanize their victims and destroy lives, but they are also often drivers of other criminal activity. We are grateful to our partners for helping us to identify criminal actors and get them off the streets, to rescue victims of these horrific crimes, to dismantle trafficking networks and organizations, and to prevent trafficking activity from other countries or states from taking hold in our great state. Let me put would-be traffickers on notice: if you commit these crimes in our state, we will seek you out and bring you down.”
 
In 2022, at the direction of Governor DeSantis, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and Florida Highway Patrol’s Criminal Interdiction Unit joined forces to create a human trafficking and drug smuggling strike force with a focus on catching these criminals along major roadways in Florida. These FDLE and FHP operations have resulted in 206 felony charges, including human-smuggling and drug-smuggling charges. FDLE and FHP will continue to partner with local sheriff’s offices to focus on ways to catch human traffickers and hold them accountable for their heinous crimes. 
 
If you believe you are a victim of human trafficking or suspect an adult is a victim of human trafficking, please call 911; your local law enforcement agency; Florida’s See Something, Say Something hotline at 1-855-FLA-SAFE (855-352-7233); the National Human Trafficking Resource center at 1-888-373-7888; the U.S. Department of Justice Hotline at 1-888-428-7581; the Florida Abuse Hotline at 1-800-96-ABUSE (1-800-962-2873); or text HELP to 233733 (BEFREE).
 
If you suspect a child is a victim, please call 911 or the Florida Abuse Hotline at 1-800-96-ABUSE.
 
Visit our website for additional information at www.fdle.state.fl.us.
 
For Further Information Contact:
FDLE Public Information Office
(850) 410-7001