12 Children Rescued In Sex Trafficking Op That Nets 198 Arrests, LAPD Says

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Nearly 200 arrests were made in connection with a multi-agency effort to rescue and recover commercially sexually exploited children in Los Angeles County, authorities said.

Operation "Reclaim and Rebuild" took place during the week of Jan. 18-23 and resulted in 198 arrests, the Los Angeles Police Department said in a news release.

Police said six of the suspected pimps were arrested, 12 minors were rescued, and six adults were identified as trafficking victims.

The LAPD said the minors have since been placed in protective custody.

"Most importantly, the operation provided 18 victims of sexual exploitation the opportunity and ability to reclaim their freedom and rebuild their lives," the news released indicated.

January marks National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month.

Anyone with additional information relating to human trafficking, pimping, and pandering is asked to call the LAPD, Trafficking Unit Det. Lina Teague at (213) 486-0957.