Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Fort Myers and the Southwest Florida (SWFL) Inter-agency Child Exploitation and Persons Trafficking (INTERCEPT) Task Force held a press conference Jan. 8, 2025, to highlight the successes of the unique multi-agency partnership during its first year.
To date, the SWFL INTERCEPT Task Force has initiated 1,052 investigations, conducted more than 158 search warrants, made 63 arrests, identified 90 victims, and combed through terabytes of data. The INTERCEPT Task Force operations are highly sensitive due to the nature of the crimes and often require swift action due to the movement of the suspects and their movement of the victims. These investigations have involved child exploitation and human trafficking and are the result of extensive and detailed work by the highly trained members of INTERCEPT Task Force.
The Southwest Florida INTERCEPT Task Force is a unique partnership that takes a collaborative and coordinated approach by federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to rescue victims of human trafficking and sexual exploitation. Financial, technical, and resource support from Operation Light Shine allow law enforcement agencies to better serve Southwest Florida communities and the many victims of this modern-day slavery…