By Steve Neavling
ticklethewire.com
Law enforcement noticed last year that sex trafficking operations sprang up around World Cannabis Week in Colorado, where marijuana is now legal.
To curb the trafficking, local, state and federal law enforcement teamed up and arrested nine adults for trafficking and 26 adults for prostitution. The team also recovered five children, the FBI announced Tuesday.
The week began April 18 with large-scale events for tourists.
Of those arrested, 40% said they traveled from out of the state.
“Whenever an event draws people from around the world, you will see an increase in sex trafficking,” said FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Thomas Ravenelle. “The reality is major events will always have some organized criminal activity, including people who facilitate and profit from prostituting adults and children.”
