“Operation Bright” Fights Human Trafficking in Little Rock

Human trafficking is a real problem in Arkansas and across the country, but efforts are being made to stop it. Recently, sixteen adults who were believed to be victims of human trafficking were offered services and support. Additionally, 79 other local victims were identified as part of Operation BRIGHT (Bringing Rescue and Intervention to Give Hope and Triumph). This operation happened earlier this month in Little Rock, and a suspected trafficker was also identified.

The Arkansas State Police (ASP) and members of the Arkansas Human Trafficking Council carried out the recovery operation in just one day. They offered victims services like food, shelter, on-site medical care, counseling, therapy, and drug rehabilitation.

ASP Director Colonel Mike Hagar said in a press release,

Because of the hidden nature of human trafficking, it is extremely difficult to locate and reach out to victims. We have a moral obligation to extend services and support to those who have fallen victim to the manipulation, lies and violence of traffickers. The law enforcement community must work collectively to provide resources to this vulnerable population.

The operation involved law enforcement and victim service providers from across the state, working together to fight human trafficking, rescue victims, and arrest traffickers to make our communities safer. Before and during the operation, authorities were able to identify local victims. Early in the investigation, they were able to get two children taken out of harmful and unstable situations. The minors were placed in protective custody.

Another operation took place in Hot Spring in May where 25 adults were identified, and seven were contacted and offered help services.

Operation BRIGHT was also part of a huge multi-state human trafficking operation.

In this operation, law enforcement agencies and service providers from all over the country including Arkansas, New Jersey, Ohio, Georgia, Florida, Texas, Oklahoma, Iowa, New Mexico, California, Minnesota, and Washington are working together. Private organizations have also helped in a training center to identify human trafficking and how to make contact, Safe House Project, and Nurses Against Trafficking.

During the operation, 94 adults were contacted and offered services from food, lodging and medical services to drug rehabilitation, counseling/therapy and childcare. 1 juvenile was taken into protective custody before being turned over to state social services. 39 adults were contacted, detained and or identified as part of the operation

Human Trafficking is happening in Arkansas and all across the United States. If you have information or suspect there is human trafficking in your area, contact the Arkansas Human Trafficking Council at reportht@asp.arkansas.gov or the National Human Trafficking Hotline at (888) 373-7888.

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