Manitowoc County, WI – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed the arrest of 24 individuals following a large-scale operation targeting a human and drug trafficking ring in Manitowoc County on September 25.
Multi-Agency Operation
The operation was a coordinated effort involving ICE, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and several other federal agencies. Additional support came from the U.S. Marshals Service, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Officials stated to WFRV that the investigation began after the FBI interviewed victims, including children, connected to the trafficking ring.
Arrests and Charges
DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin said that during the interviews, ICE identified multiple illegal aliens linked to criminal activity.
Among those arrested, authorities noted individuals with prior convictions for:
- Sexual assault of a child
- Hit and run
- DUI (Driving Under the Influence)
- Identity theft
- Possession of narcotic equipment
The 24 arrests reflect the severity of the trafficking network and the ongoing efforts by federal agencies to dismantle such criminal operations.
Victim Impact and Investigation
Officials emphasized that many of the victims, including children, suffered exploitation and abuse at the hands of the trafficking ring. The operation highlights the importance of multi-agency collaboration to protect vulnerable individuals and bring traffickers to justice.
Federal authorities confirmed that the investigation is ongoing and that additional arrests or charges could be possible as more evidence is reviewed.
What are your thoughts on how human and drug trafficking cases are handled? Should authorities increase raids like this to prevent future crimes? Share your opinion in the comments below.
