Authorities arrested 14 people as the result of a human trafficking sting operation targeting “sex buyers using the San Diego Comic-Con Convention to seek out potential victims,” the California Department of Justice announced in a press release. According to the release, 10 potential victims — including nine adults and a 16-year-old girl — were recovered and offered support services. As part of the operation conducted by the San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force from July 25 to July 27, law enforcement agents went undercover as sex buyers and posted ads “soliciting” sex. “Unfortunately, sex traffickers capitalize on large scale events such as Comic-Con to exploit their victims for profit,” California Attorney General Rob Bonta said in a statement. “These arrests send a clear message to potential offenders that their criminal behavior will not be tolerated.” Meanwhile, the convention has suggested that it did not know about the sting. “Obviously we find this very disturbing and, while we were not made aware of this operation, it is our understanding that the arrests were made outside of the event,” SDCC said in a statement to IGN. “We work closely with a variety of law enforcement entities throughout the year and stand ready to assist in any way we can.”
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