The essentials: Ten people were arrested as part of a law enforcement operation targeting sex traffickers and commercial sex buyers in Perry.
The operation, called “Operation Southern Comfort,” was a multi-agency effort coordinated by the GBI’s Human Exploitation and Human Trafficking Unit, Perry Police Department, the Houston County Sheriff’s Office, the Georgia Motor Carrier Compliance Division and the Houston County District Attorney’s Office became.
Nine commercial sex workers were offered services to identify and arrest their employers.
The details:
- Operation Southern Comfort was a proactive undercover investigation conducted over several months.
- Law enforcement worked closely with the Houston County District Attorney’s Office in planning and executing the operation.
- The age range of the ten people arrested was between 23 and 68 years. They had either intended to buy sex or sell sex commercially.
- The main goal of the operation was to curb the demand for commercial sex by arresting buyers and offering services to potential workers, with the additional goal of identifying and arresting pimps and traffickers.
Why it matters: Sex trafficking is a serious crime that exploits vulnerable people and violates their human rights. Operation Southern Comfort combats this illegal trade by targeting the demand side and arresting those involved. Through undercover investigations and cooperation with law enforcement authorities, the authorities want to dismantle criminal networks and help victims.
What’s next?: The sex trafficking investigation is ongoing. Authorities encourage anyone with information to contact the GBI HEAT Division or the Houston County Sheriff’s Office. Additionally, individuals are encouraged to report all forms of human trafficking to the Georgia Statewide Human Trafficking Hotline.
