Washington state is one of the top states in the country for the number of reported human trafficking cases. The Department of Homeland Security is working to combat the problem and recently rescued multiple sex trafficking victims during an undercover operation. “It is shocking. You can go on many different websites and see offers and advertisements out there,” said Steven Schrank, Deputy Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations for the Pacific Northwest. Homeland security agents trying to stop the alarming demand that’s fueling human trafficking with multiple undercover operations a year. The latest one, earlier this month near Sea-Tac International Airport. Special agents worked with multiple state and local agencies and rescued nine sex trafficking victims from multiple states, one of which was a minor. Four people were arrested including a registered sex offender and a gang member in possession of a firearm. Agents said this case highlights the control and coercion traffickers have over their victims. “We had children that were in the car with individuals that were moving around at the direction of traffickers. We had an individual that had a protection order against the trafficker, and was, in fact, with the trafficker at that time,” said Schrank. READ THE FULL STORY HERE: https://www.king5.com/article/news/crime/9-sex-trafficking-victims-rescued-near-sea-tac/281-d448ff4a-731f-41f6-a29e-dc9314a7450d