The FBI announced Monday that it has located 121 missing minors who have been victims of human trafficking organizations in the past two weeks.
Operation Cross Country, in cooperation with other federal, state, and local agencies, has made it possible to locate more than 200 victims in different parts of the United States.
According to US newspaper The Hill, up to 145 adult victims were located in this special operation, bringing the total number of casualties to 391 this year.
In one of the most effective operations, agents located 19 missing children and arrested seven suspects in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
“We are meeting with local authorities and identifying specific areas where we know there is increased sex trafficking and are providing resources and funds to identify and remove victims from those areas,” an FBI spokesman said , Jose Perez.
Nearly 200 agencies from the three tiers of government have worked with the FBI to gather information, collect evidence, and assist victims.
Additionally, the operation remains open and plans to investigate sex offenders who may be charged at the federal level and other suspects who may be involved in online sexual abuse.