Human Trafficking (BORDERS-11)
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DEFINITION: What is Human Trafficking?
Human trafficking is the illegal recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring or receipt of a person with the intent to hold
the person captive or exploit the individual for labor, services or body parts.
From Daily Times-2018/01/24 by Noel Lyn Smith. See more below.
Three participants are involved in the sex trafficking transaction — the buyer, the seller, and the victim, who can be a man,
woman or children. Furthermore, there is an intersection between sex trafficking and missing and murdered indigenous
relatives, said Crotty. Sex trafficking is prevalent at casinos, hotels, and highway truck stops or gas stations, where there are
a lot of people coming and going, and the buying and selling of sex can occur largely undetected. Additionally, sex traffickers
use online resources and social media to seek out vulnerable youth, said Brown. Facebook and Instagram are used to lure
and trade victims, he said, and there are also apps that can be used to buy sex.
Crotty said it’s important to monitor your children’s online and phone activity. “Someone’s being groomed and someone’s
being exploited,” Crotty said. “It’s not happening by accident.”
--Navajo Times-2020/02/20 By Rima Krisst. See more below.
11 Facts about Human Trafficking
https //www dosomething org/us/facts/11-facts-about-human-trafficking
#1 Trafficking involves transporting someone into a situation of exploitation. This can include forced labor, marriage,
prostitution, and organ removal. This kind of exploitation is known by a few different names -- “human trafficking,”
“trafficking of persons,” and “modern slavery” are the ones accepted by the US Department of State. […see more at website]
Security Magazine
Human Trafficking: Recognizing the signs
https //www securitymagazine com/articles/92350-human-trafficking-recognizing-the-signs
MALE HUMAN TRAFFICKING
Human Trafficking Center dot org Men and Boys
https //humantraffickingcenter org/men-boys/
Combating Male Sex Trafficking
https //www ranchhandsrescue com/sex-trafficking/
The Epoch Times
The silent victims a hidden world where boys are trafficked
https //www theepochtimes com/the-silent-victims-a-hidden-world-where-boys-are-trafficked_2958903.html
STASH HOUSES - Human (Human and Drugs Common)
Human Smuggling Stash Houses (p. 17 here)
Drug Stash Houses (p. 337 Marijuana Farms, Houses, Labs, Drug Stash Houses)
Breitbart
2020/08/29 160 Cartel-Connected Human Smuggling Stash Houses Busted in South Texas this Year. By Jaeson
Jones
https://www.breitbart.com/border/2020/08/29/160-cartel-connected-human-smuggling-stash-houses-busted-in-
south-texas-this-year/
CBP dot gov
2021/07/16 El Paso Sector Agents locate stash houses and $600k worth of Methamphetamine
https //www cbpgov/newsroom/local-media-release/el-paso-sector-age
nts-locate-stash-houses-and-600k-worth
Excerpt: Chaparral, New Mexico: -67 undocument migrants: 44 Guatemalans, 16 Ecuadorans, five Mexicans,
one El Salvadorian, and one Honduran.
San Elizario, Texas: 43 undocumented; 0 Ecuadorans, 11 Peruvians, 10 Mexicans, one Honduran, and one
Unaccompanied Child from Guatemala.
Vado, New Mexico: 24 undocumented migrants: 18 Ecuadorans, four Guatemalans, and two Mexicans.
The Epoch Times
2019/05/22 tash Houses: A Hidden and Horrific Phenomenon on Border
Massive increases in illegal border crossings is stretching resources thin, while smugglers pack more illegal
aliens into hous es. By Charlotte Cuthbertson
https://www.theepochtimes.com/stash-houses-a-hidden-and-horrific-phenomenon-on-border_2932642.html
Fox News
2021/04/02 Texas ‘stash houses,’ used by human smugglers, busted as border crackdown continues
Since October, agents have increased busts on stash houses by 400% compared to the same time last year, a
report said. By Brie Stimson
https://www.foxnews.com/us/texas-stash-houses-used-by-human-smugglers-to-hide-illegal-immigrants-busted-
by-authorities
Washington Post
2017/09/19 What is a 'stash house?'
https://www.washingtonpost.com/video/local/what-is-a-stash-house/2017/09/19/5de53a6c-884a-11e7-96a7-
d178cf3524eb_video.html
Stash houses are a vital part of immigrant and drug smuggling networks on the U.S.-Mexico border.
SUMMARY OF LINKS
Arizona
https //www acf.hhs gov/sites/default/files/otip/arizona_profile_efforts_to_combat_human_trafficking pdf
https //www 12news com/article/news/crime/woman-arrested-for-child-sex-trafficking-after-trying-to-sell-teen-for-sex-in-
phoenix/75-a649b643-eecf-491b-bbce-585fdc6a4851
https //www azfamily com/news/continuing_coverage/coronavirus_coverage/phoenix-still-a-hot-spot-for-sex-trafficking-
amid-covid-19-expert-says/article_784963b6-876a-11ea-9bac-ebd5f58db2a6 html
https //patch com/arizona/phoenix/5-arrested-arizona-sex-trafficking-sting-including-former-cop
New Mexico Human Trafficking
https://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/otip/new_mexico_profile_efforts_to_combat_human_trafficking.pdf
https://www.daily-times.com/story/news/local/navajo-nation/2018/01/24/navajo-nation-conference-centers-human-
trafficking/1064019001/
https://apnews.com/article/438bb773b16640de8093d9cd8ec95925
https://www.deseret.com/2012/4/25/20409124/feds-nab-28-nm-gang-members-linked-to-trafficking
https://www.kob.com/albuquerque-news/human-trafficking-continues-to-be-a-major-concern-in-new-
mexico/5864718/#:~:text=A%20report%20from%20the%20Human,ranked%2035th%20in%20the%20nation.
https://www.krqe.com/news/albuquerque-metro/deliverfund-combats-human-trafficking-across-the-country/
https://www.lcsun-news.com/story/news/local/new-mexico/2019/12/22/sex-trafficking-new-mexico-searchlight-navajo-girl-
harrowing-story/2681341001/
https://navajotimes.com/reznews/modern-day-monster-report-links-sex-trafficking-to-generational-trauma/
https //www nmag gov/human-trafficking-task-force aspx
Mexico Illegal Alien Sexual Predators entering USA
also includes Americans with sexual criminal records helping illegal aliens cross border
In general:
https://www.fairus.org/issue/border-security/examples-serious-crimes-illegal-aliens
https://abcnews.go.com/WNT/story?id=129594
Some articles on Mexico illegal aliens with criminal sexual histories entering, or trying to enter United States.
Although not immediately “human trafficking” it might be and often is linked to human trafficking. This section might be
moved to another area later.
https //www cbp gov/newsroom/local-media-release/border-patrol-arrests-rapist-child-sex-offender
https //www ice gov/news/releases/unregistered-convicted-sex-offender-living-reno-arrested-ice
https //www ice gov/news/releases/previously-convicted-child-sex-offender-mexico-sentenced-4-years-prison-illegally#wcm-
survey-target-id
http //www scielo org.mx/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0187-69612013000200002
https //www borderreport com/news/convicted-sex-offenders-caught-smuggling-migrants-in-california/
ARTICLES AND RESOURCES
Arizona
Arizona Health and Human Services
https //www acf hhs gov/sites/default/files/otip/arizona_profile_efforts_to_combat_human_trafficking pdf
Arizona Family dot com
2020/04/25 Phoenix still a hot spot for sex trafficking amid COVID-19, expert says. EMMA LOCKHART
https //www azfamily com/news/continuing_coverage/coronavirus_coverage/phoenix-still-a-hot-spot-for-sex-trafficking-
amid-covid-19-expert-says/article_784963b6-876a-11ea-9bac-ebd5f58db2a6.html
12 News dot com
2020/08/24 Woman arrested for child sex trafficking after trying to sell teen for sex in Phoenix According to the National
Human Trafficking Hotline, last year there were 234 trafficking cases reported in Arizona alone.
By Bianca Buono
https//www 12news com/article/news/crime/woman-arrested-for-child-sex-trafficking-after-trying-to-sell-teen-for-sex-in-
phoenix/75-a649b643-eecf-491b-bbce-585fdc6a4851
Patch
2020/09/11 5 Arrested In Arizona Sex Trafficking Sting, Including Former Cop
The sting, called 'Operation Home Alone 2', resulted in five arrests, including a former Maricopa County Sheriff's Department
detective. By Lindsay Walker, Patch Staff
https //patch com/arizona/phoenix/5-arrested-arizona-sex-trafficking-sting-including-former-cop
New Mexico
Some Resources or Help groups for Human Trafficking Issues:
US Department of Health and Human Services Region V1
Strengthening Families Program/Navajo Nation Division of Social Services
Street Safe New Mexico
DeliverFund
Across Country https://humantraffickinghotline.org/state/new-mexico
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Region VI
New Mexico: Efforts to Combat Human Trafficking
ACF dot hhs dot gov
AP News
2019/03/15 US attorney in New Mexico focuses on human trafficking
https://apnews.com/article/438bb773b16640de8093d9cd8ec95925
Excerpt: ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Organized criminal groups are using the crush of asylum seekers from
Central America and elsewhere as cover for smuggling immigrants across the state’s remote border with
Mexico, according to federal authorities in New Mexico. “We are making a concerted effort to investigate and
prosecute organizations involved in human trafficking,” U.S. Attorney John C. Anderson tells the Albuquerque
Journal . He said that includes smugglers as well as those who are taking advantage of asylum seekers.
Anderson described New Mexico as a “transit point” for people entering the country illegally or through the
asylum process. The border state in recent months has seen a surge of large groups — mostly Central
Americans — being taken into custody at remote spots such as Antelope Wells or areas further north near
Deming. U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s El Paso sector — which includes New Mexico — processed
thousands of asylum seekers just in February. Shelters in the area have run out of space, resulting in hundreds
of the migrants being bused to Las Cruces and Albuquerque while they await travel to other destinations
pending formal hearings. Homeland Security Investigations and Border Patrol agents have identified several
organized criminal groups that have been smuggling immigrants across the southern border to ultimate
destinations in Alabama, New Jersey, Tennessee and elsewhere. Agents have arrested human smugglers in the
small towns of Hachita in southwestern New Mexico and Dexter south of Roswell as well as Albuquerque and
Birmingham, Alabama. Just this week, Maximo Gonzalez-Sebastian of Guatemala was convicted of holding
migrants in the country illegally at a rented home in New Mexico. Prosecutors say he told at least one of the
Mexican nationals he was keeping that he would not release them until he received payments by wire transfer
from family members or others.
https://apnews.com/article/438bb773b16640de8093d9cd8ec95925
Daily Times
2018/01/24 Navajo Nation conference centers on human trafficking: Special agent from AG's Office leads
presentation. By Noel Lyn Smith
https:/www.daily-times.com/story/news/local/navajo-nation/2018/01/24/navajo-nation-conference-centers-
human-trafficking/1064019001/
Excerpt: Human trafficking is a $32 billion industry worldwide and is the second-most profitable industry
behind drug trafficking. A task force that operates through the state Attorney General's Office has limited
authority to address human trafficking on the reservation, but it can work cases through the FBI or the Navajo
Nation police. The conference was organized by the Strengthening Families Program, a service under the
Navajo Nation Division of Social Services.
Excerpt: Navajo Nation officials enacted a law against human trafficking in August 2017. The measure allows
tribal courts to exercise jurisdiction for crimes related to human trafficking committed by Native and non-
Natives when a federal law enforcement agency or a federal court declines or does not exercise jurisdiction to
prosecute the crime.
Deseret
2012/04/25 Feds nab 28 NM gang members linked to trafficking. By Associated Press
https //www deseret com/2012/4/25/20409124/feds-nab-28-nm-gang-members-linked-to-trafficking
Excerpt: ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Federal agents and local police have arrested 28 suspected gang members
and associates in New Mexico as part of a national roundup of gang members linked to drug and human
trafficking. Officials with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations
announced Wednesday that members and associates affiliated with the South Side Locos and Brown Pride
gangs in Albuquerque, southern New Mexico and the Four Corner's region were in federal custody following a
quick probe of the area. Authorities also seized heroin, cocaine and meth with a street value of close to
$300,000. In addition, federal agents and local authorities seized more than a dozen or so illegal firearms and
two expensive vehicles. "This was a coordinated effort that resulted in the arrests of a number of high ranking
gang members," said Dennis Ulrich, Homeland Security Investigations Acting Special Agent in Charge of West
Texas and New Mexico. "We believe they were involved in drug trafficking and human smuggling."
https //www deseret com/2012/4/25/20409124/feds-nab-28-nm-gang-members-linked-to-trafficking
KOB
2020/09/16 Human trafficking continues to be a major concern in New Mexico. By Colton Shone.
https://www.kob.com/albuquerque-news/human-trafficking-continues-to-be-a-major-concern-in-new-
mexico/5864718/#:~:text=A%20report%20from%20the%20Human,ranked%2035th%20in%20the%20nation.
Excerpt: Human trafficking is an issue affecting states all over the country. Local advocates say the problem in
New Mexico is particularly bad. "We have absolutely seen national rings that come through the state of New
Mexico," said Excerpt: Shelley Repp, spokesperson for the New Mexico Dream Center. "We are on a known
route and minimally that route is Denver, Albuquerque, Salt Lake City and Compton." A report from the Human
Trafficking Institute shows the latest numbers for New Mexico: There are 8 trafficking cases, ranking New
Mexico 23rd in the nation for active cases. Nationwide, there are 606 cases. Street Safe New Mexico, an
Albuquerque-based nonprofit that aims to help victims of human trafficking, said the conviction numbers don't
compare to the amount of cases they see
https://www.kob.com/albuquerque-news/human-trafficking-continues-to-be-a-major-concern-in-new-
mexico/5864718/#:~:text=A%20report%20from%20the%20Human,ranked%2035th%20in%20the%20nation.
KRQE
2020/03/09 DeliverFund combats human trafficking across the country. By Allison Keys
https://www.krqe.com/news/albuquerque-metro/deliverfund-combats-human-trafficking-across-the-country/
Sex trafficking is happening all over America and New Mexico is ground zero for the hunt for human traffickers
all around the country. Kara Smith hunts traffickers around the country from a small office in Albuquerque for
New Mexico. DeliverFund Senior Targeting Analyst Kara Smith visits the set to discuss the fight against sex
trafficking. DeliverFund is a nonprofit private intelligence organization that equips, trains, and advises law
enforcement on how to combat human trafficking nationwide. Kara explains that DeliverFund primarily works
with domestic sex trafficking and they look for individuals that are forced to have sex for-profit and their
traffickers take those proceed from them. She says that 96% of trafficking victims are women.
Las Cruces Sun
Stolen and erased: One Navajo girl's harrowing story of sex trafficking in New Mexico. By Nick
PachelliSearchlight New Mexico
https://www.lcsun-news.com/story/news/local/new-mexico/2019/12/22/sex-trafficking-new-mexico-searchlight-
navajo-girl-harrowing-story/2681341001/
Excerpt: In New Mexico, only 160 cases have been opened since 2016 — Eva’s among them. And while Native
Americans make up about 11 percent of the state’s population, they account for nearly a quarter of trafficking
victims, according to data compiled from organizations that provide services to trafficking victims.
…Issues remain nationally:States improve on stopping juvenile sex trafficking, but there are still issues
That includes Eva, who, according to her own recounting in addition to notes from medical personnel,
caseworkers, and therapists, was systematically lured, coerced and threatened by a man who amassed
hundreds of pornographic images and videos of her, raped her more times than she can estimate and traded
sex with her to others for money, drugs and favors. Her name, along with those of her family members, have
been changed for reasons of safety and privacy….
[Note from PF: In summary, Eva is an example of a Navajo girl who was human trafficked time and again and
who got lost in the system. There were numerous signs of abuse and psychological problems, but these
problems were ignored, including by police]…”Despite dozens of brushes with five law enforcement agencies
(Zuni tribal police, Gallup police, McKinley County sheriffs, Bernalillo County sheriffs, and Albuquerque police)
and seven healthcare institutions (in Gallup, Zuni, Black Rock, Las Cruces, Albuquerque, and Taos), she was not
once questioned or screened for human trafficking.”
https://www.lcsun-news.com/story/news/local/new-mexico/2019/12/22/sex-trafficking-new-mexico-searchlight-
navajo-girl-harrowing-story/2681341001/
Navajo Times
2020/02/20 ‘Modern-day monster’: Report links sex trafficking to generational trauma
By Rima Krisst
https //navajotimes.com/reznews/modern-day-monster-report-links-sex-trafficking-to-generational-trauma/
Excerpt: WINDOW ROCKIt can be difficult to talk about and even harder to process, but in the past few years an
insidious wave of sex trafficking has hit the Navajo Nation and Navajo Nation Council delegates want people to
be aware so they can help protect potential victims
N Mag
https //www nmag gov/human-trafficking-task-force aspx
Human Trafficking Task Force
The Office of the New Mexico Attorney General Human Trafficking Task Force is a federally funded collaborative
taskforce consisting of local, state, tribal, and federal law enforcement agencies, prosecutorial agencies, and
service providers from around the state. The sole purpose of the New Mexico Human Trafficking Task Force is to
implement a collaborative approach to combating all forms of human trafficking within New Mexico- sex
trafficking and labor trafficking- of foreign nationals and U.S. citizens (of all sexes and ages). This multi-
disciplinary task force focuses on a victim-centered approach to identify victims of all types of human
trafficking, address the individualized needs of victims through quality services, and investigate and prosecute
human trafficking cases at the local, state, tribal, and federal levels
https //www nmag gov/human-trafficking-task-force aspx
Other Areas
Texas
https //www ranchhandsrescue com/sex-trafficking/
The sex-trafficking industry has stayed expertly hidden across the country, and for far too long we have only seen the effects
of it: trafficked children in our counseling center who connect with our animals because they are too scared or ashamed to
tell another person, or adults who have fallen into self-destruction because of what happened to them as children. We are
tired of seeing the effects of an industry that gives no thought or care for the young lives that are stolen and the critical
damage that it creates. Instead of cartoons, birthday gifts, hobbies, and hugs from parents, these children and young adults
are subjected to shame, humiliation, denigration, and violence. We can’t erase traumatic memories, but we can bring what is
hiding into the light, and we can build more opportunities for people to receive the help and care that they deserve.
Mass Transit Mag dot com
2018/05/24 Transit Industry Tackles Human Trafficking
Recent legislative victories combined with ongoing investment in employee training and public awareness are helping to
stymie this heinous form of modern-day slavery.Gregg Wartgow
May 24th, 2018
https://www.masstransitmag.com/safety-security/article/12413653/transit-industry-tackles-human-trafficking
Updates 2022/05/09 removed excess bold; 2020/11/28 Male Human Trafficking Section added with link to human trafficking center dot org males; 2020/11/24
Arizona added to sections; 2020/11/21 Human Trafficking page started
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Some Resources and Help for Human Trafficking
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Definition: What is Human Trafficking?
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Male Human Trafficking
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Stash Houses
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Summary of Links
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Arizona
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New Mexico
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Mexico Illegal Alien Sexual Predators Entering USA (Might or Might not
be linked to Human Trafficking)
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Other Areas
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Articles
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Arizona
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New Mexico
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Some NM Resources and Help
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Other Areas
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RESOURCES and Help for Human Trafficking
Note: Be careful during online or cell phone usage as you could be being monitored.
Try using a payphone if you can get to one, but even that is not one hundred percent
private. Try to make your calls quick and move from the area you are calling
immediately after you call or text. Social service groups often put up warning
messages on their websites that accessing the websites might not be private.
https://humantraffickinghotline.org/state/new-mexico
Get Help
1-888-373-7888
TTY: 711
Chat
*Text: 233733
Resources and Input
Policing, Borders, Drugs, Cartels
and System Corruption