SAN DIEGO (KGTV) -- More than 30 people were arrested in a three-day statewide sweep aimed at stopping the sexual exploitation of young women and girls, law enforcement authorities in San Diego and other jurisdictions announced Friday.
The operation was conducted from January 26 through January 28, throughout San Diego County, targeting sex buyers and traffickers.
According to the San Diego Task Force, 30 male suspects were arrested on suspicion of solicitation, one male suspect on suspicion of pimping, pandering, and possession of a concealed firearm, after he recruited an undercover detective into prostitution online.
These cases will be referred to local prosecutors.
"Sex buyers help drive the demand for the criminal business of sex trafficking. The activities of those arrested in this operation contribute to the negative consequences victims of human trafficking endure," according to the San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force.
A recent study showed the underground sex industry in San Diego is about an $810 million annual business.
The San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force encourages the public to report human trafficking to their local law enforcement agency or call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at (888) 373-7888.
