21 victims rescued during Kentucky human trafficking sting; dozens arrested The 12-state human trafficking operation call Operation United Front was led by the Missouri Attorney General’s Office and Missouri Highway Patrol. It is believed to be the first multistate operation of its kind, according to a news release from Gov. Andy Beshear's office. Overall, 59 victims were rescued across the country and 102 suspects were arrested in connection with human trafficking. "We are not going to tolerate this sort of egregious conduct in our Commonwealth and I believe that message has now come across loud and clear," said Attorney General Daniel Cameron. Twenty-one of those victims were rescued during Kentucky's sting, two of which were minors. Also, almost half of the suspects arrested in the country were in and around Kentucky: 46. Here's the breakdown in other states: Missouri: Two arrests made, four victims rescued Illinois: Three arrests made, one victim rescued Iowa: Three arrests made, 10 victims rescued Minnesota: Three arrests made, eight victims rescued Nebraska: Seven arrests made North Dakota: Three arrests made, six victims rescued Oklahoma: 13 arrests made, one victim rescued Tennessee: Six arrests made, two victims rescued Texas: Two arrests made, four victims Kentucky conducted four trafficking operations simultaneously in Bowling Green, Elizabethtown, McCracken County and Northern Kentucky. The Kentucky State Police organized and led the commonwealth’s effort. To read about those arrested and charged, click here. "Operation United Front is a great example of creating a better and safer Kentucky, one that is free of this hideous crime," Beshear said in a statement. Before becoming governor, Beshear served as Kentucky's attorney general. It was then that he created the Office of Child Abuse and Human Trafficking Prevention and Prosecution. The state agency helps local law enforcement with resources to combat human trafficking. Cameron stressed the importance of getting human traffickers off the streets. "Every arrest made leads to one less trafficker on our streets and sends a message that we will not allow any person to exploit another through labor and sex trafficking," Cameron said in a statement. https://www.wlky.com/article/kentucky-agencies-rescue-21-victims-during-human-trafficking-sting/37453829
