ORLANDO, Fla. – A human trafficking and heroin trafficking organization is dismantled in Central Florida, and state authorities say police have rescued eight women, one a 17-year-old girl.
Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings and Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi said a consortium of agencies had arrested 21 suspects last week on charges of human trafficking, drug trafficking and racketeering.
Last week's arrests were the culmination of a two-year investigation by the Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation.
Authorities said the group used violence, drugs and addictions to "profit on the labors and bodies of the victims of modern day sexual slavery."
"These victims were being held under the threat of violence and with the use of drugs, so they could be sold for sex," Bondi said. "We will not tolerate anyone coercing and exploiting anyone in our state to traffic them for sex."
The ring was run by four principal suspects. One of them is still at large.
Officials said the eight women were charged with various sex crimes but many of them could have the charges dropped as the investigation proceeds.
Officials said the women are receiving counseling and drug treatment since heroin was used to coerce them into prostitution.
Bondi recently addressed how human trafficking remains a growing problem in Florida.