Montgomery County Constable Ryan Gable announced that a three-day operation this month resulted in numerous arrests associated with prostitution, child trafficking, and drug offenses.
The constable’s office collaborated with the Houston Police Department and received support from the Human Trafficking Rescue Alliance (HTRA) and the Houston Metro Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force to successfully carry out this operation.
During a Friday morning press conference, Gable explained working with ICAC was essential, as the internet has become a major platform for those who exploit children and traffic victims for sexual purposes. The partnership between HTRA and ICAC investigations enabled the use of digital forensics and online tracking to uncover trafficking networks. The three-day investigation, dubbed Operation Safe Haven, resulted in numerous arrests and the recovery of one victim.
The operation’s results include:
- Seven arrests for prostitution.
- Three arrests for promotion of prostitution.
- Four arrests for online solicitation of a minor (including the capture of a registered sex offender).
- One arrest for child trafficking.
- One arrest for unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
- One arrest for evading law enforcement.
- One arrest for possession of a prohibited weapon.
- Two arrests related to drug offenses.
- One juvenile recovered.
Commander Salam Zia of the Houston Police Department praised the successful collaboration between the agencies. He emphasized that this partnership ensured safety for victims of trafficking and sent a clear message to traffickers:
When we join forces, we not only strengthen our ability to uphold justice and ensure public safety, but we also send a loud and clear message to both survivors and traffickers. To the survivors: Our collaboration says you are not alone. And to the traffickers: We make it clear there will be no safe haven for you.
Houston has long been a hotspot for human trafficking.
According to the Houston Police Vice Division, this is largely due to the city’s proximity to the U.S.-Mexico border, its dense population, access to major roadways and seaports, and its large sex industry.
Data from the National Human Trafficking Hotline showed that from December 2007 to December 2016 a total of 13,370 human trafficking cases were reported nationwide. Of these cases, more than 1,000 were from Houston, making the city number one in the country for human trafficking.
In 2016, the Greater Houston area accounted for 41.6 percent of all human trafficking tips reported in Texas. As of 2020, Texas ranked second in the nation for human trafficking, only behind California.
This investigation is ongoing, and as such, the names of the alleged offenders have not been released. HPD Lieutenant Freddie Croft said that the operation is far from over, and law enforcement will continue to search for more victims and traffickers.
“The arrests made are just the beginning of the investigation. Typically, these traffickers—especially those who prey on juveniles—have other victims,” said Croft. “We will continue investigating to identify additional victims and bring offenders to justice.”
