Tag Archive for: organized crime

‘Home for the Holidays’ Human Trafficking Operation Recovers 19 Victims in Three Days

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan announced today that 19 victims of human trafficking were recovered over three days this month during law enforcement’s annual Home for the Holidays Human Trafficking Task Force Operation in San Diego County. The victims were offered services to help them escape and heal from exploitation and human trafficking.

This operation also resulted in four adult men, including a registered sex offender, being arrested and charged with pimping, pandering and violating a protective order. Six misdemeanor citations were issued to sex buyers.

“The ugly truth is that sex trafficking remains a lucrative criminal industry fueled by demand that generating over $810 million a year in San Diego County,” DA Stephan said. “I’m proud of our work with the San Diego Regional Human Trafficking Task Force, my office’s Sex Crimes and Human Trafficking Division and all our partners that work around the clock to recover victims as young as 12. Together they hold human traffickers and criminal buyers accountable for their crimes. The ongoing efforts of the task force demonstrate that law enforcement will not tolerate this modern-day slavery of vulnerable victims who are bought and sold like a slice of pizza.”

Operation Home for the Holidays is an annual, multi-jurisdictional operation aimed at recovering victims of human trafficking, offering victim services, apprehending and prosecuting traffickers, and reducing the demand of sex for pay. During Operation Home for the Holidays, law enforcement officers worked undercover as sex buyers to identify and contact potential victims of trafficking and traffickers by responding to online advertisements for sex. This year’s operation was the sixth annual and was conducted at motels in Chula Vista, National City, and San Diego on December 10, 11, and 12.

“Operation Home for the Holidays is a key part of our efforts to keep our communities safe for the holidays and all year round,” said Attorney General Bonta. “I want to thank our partners at the San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force, who work to support victims, survivors, and their families. Together, we will continue to disrupt human trafficking operations and achieve meaningful results that uplift vulnerable Californians.”

Beginning January 1, a new law goes into effect that targets sex buyers, protects minors and supports survivors of human trafficking. AB 379, authored by Assemblymembers Nick Shultz (D-Burbank), Stephanie Nguyen (D-Elk Grove), and original author Assemblymember Maggy Krell (D-Sacramento) makes the buying of a minor for sex, a felony crime. It also reverses a portion of a misguided law that decriminalized loitering for prostitution, making it a crime again for criminal buyers. The law also creates a Survivor Support Fund to s provide grants to community-based organizations that provide direct services and outreach to victims of sex trafficking and exploitation. Finally, the law increases civil penalties for specific human trafficking-related violations by businesses.

“HSI is committed to a victim-centered approach in the fight against human trafficking, prioritizing both the well-being of victims and the pursuit of justice against those responsible for these crimes,” said Kevin Murphy, (A)Special Agent in Charge for Homeland Security Investigations in San Diego. “Through the Human Trafficking Task Force, our collaborative efforts have led to the removal of dangerous offenders from the community and ensured that the 19 victims received the support and services they need.”

The defendants in this case were arraigned on Friday, December 19 and Monday, December 22. If convicted they face between six and 20 years in prison.

The Human Trafficking Task Force is a cooperative effort led by the California Department of Justice with task force membership by the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office, San Diego County Sheriff’s Office, San Diego Police Department, Southwest Border High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, California Highway Patrol, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, National City Police Department, San Diego City Attorney’s Office, San Diego County Probation Department,

If you or someone you know is being coerced, deceived or forced to engage in sexual activity, or labor and needs help to leave, you can call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 to access help and services. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 9-1-1.

Over the past four years, there have been 23 arrests, 65 rescues— including two juveniles— and three guns recovered during Home for the Holidays Operations. The Human Trafficking Task Force conducts similar operations throughout the year. In 2024, the task force recovered 47 juveniles through various operations. In 2025, 62 juveniles have been recovered.

DA Summer Stephan announces in a news conference with SDPD and DEA dozens of arrests resulting from a six-month, multi-agency law enforcement operation targeting Mexican Mafia prison inmates, who directed gang associates on the outside to commit violent crimes, traffic illegal drugs and ghost guns, and extort local businesses.

Organized Crime Takedown Nets 39 Arrests of Violent Criminals, Arms Traffickers and Drug Dealers

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan today announced dozens of arrests resulting from a wide-ranging takedown of street gang members operating in San Diego County at the direction of the largest prison gang, known as the Mexican Mafia, which has ties to Mexico’s cartels. Many of those arrested have been involved in murders, attempted murders, robberies, arson, extortion, drug and weapons trafficking and violent assaults.

(WATCH NEWS CONFERENCE HERE)

During the six-month undercover investigation, dubbed Operation “Los Impuestos,” law enforcement partners from the San Diego Police Street Gang Unit, San Diego County District Attorney’s Office Gang Unit, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives developed evidence against 46 defendants for a variety of crimes. The investigation revealed that dozens of criminal street gang members from various gangs were being controlled and prolifically committed violent crimes, including at least one murder and two attempted murders at the behest of the Mexican Mafia. Seven of the defendants being charged are currently already in custody for other crimes.

Last Thursday, 39 defendants were arrested after law enforcement fanned out across the county in a coordinated takedown. Many of those arrested and charged were scheduled to be arraigned today at 1:30 p.m. in Department 101 of the downtown San Diego Superior Court. If convicted, the defendants are facing a wide range of possible prison sentences from three years to life terms in state prison. There are eight defendants who have been criminally charged but remain at large. Charges filed in 20 separate criminal cases include murder, conspiracy to commit murder, extortion, and firearms trafficking.

“This operation once again proves that we will not allow criminal organizations to terrorize our communities by threats or violence,” DA Stephan said. “Every person in every neighborhood deserves to be safe from crime and violence. These criminals took orders from gang bosses operating in state prison and they preyed on business owners by forcing mafia-style tax payments. They dealt illegal drugs, committed widespread violence and trafficked weapons such as ghost guns and AR 15s. The extraordinary cooperation and expertise from our law enforcement partners has exposed the cartel bosses in prison who were calling the shots and together we put a significant dent in their criminal operation.”

The Mexican Mafia, known as “La EME,” is the largest and most established prison gang in the United States. The Mexican Mafia was initially formed in the California state penal system and has been in existence for more than 50 years. At present, the Mexican Mafia operates both in the California State prison system, as well as in other states, and in the Federal Bureau of Prisons. The prison gang controls and utilizes Southern California gang members who are both in custody and out of custody for their criminal enterprises. These gang members pay tribute to and engage in criminal activity with the Mexican Mafia.

Operation “Los Impuestos” revealed that the prison gang was using a vast network of gang members throughout San Diego County and its ties to international drug trafficking organizations to collect extortion payments or “taxes” from legal and illegal businesses, traffic drugs and firearms, intimidate witnesses and victims in the community, and to carry out violent acts including numerous beatings, shootings, and murders. The criminal acts happened all over San Diego with much of it centered downtown, in Barrio Logan, City Heights and in South San Diego.

In one case, it was uncovered that an order was given to blow up a business with a grenade that had stopped paying it’s ‘tax.’ Two grenades were seized during the operation. Other businesses were hit with Molotov cocktails and robbed, including illegal gambling dens.

On multiple occasions during the operation, violent acts that were about to be committed were prevented by law enforcement.

“This operation is the perfect example of how good, thorough policework keeps our communities safe and holds violent criminals accountable,” said San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl. “The San Diego Police Department and our partners stand strong in our commitment to public safety and will continue to dedicate the necessary resources to bringing these violent criminals to justice.”

Guns and drugs were confiscated during the operation, including:

“Drug-related violent crime undermines public safety, leaving fear and uncertainty in its wake,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian Clark. “The conclusion of this investigation marks the end to a deep-rooted criminal network operating in San Diego County. DEA and our partners will relentlessly pursue those who disregard the law to ensure San Diego is a safe place to live.”

A number of additional agencies assisted in the operation, including the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the San Diego Sheriff’s Office and the National City Police Department.

Deputy District Attorney Robert Eacret is overseeing the prosecutions and Deputy District Attorneys Martin Doyle, William Hopkins, Mary Naoom, Melissa Mack, and MaryLouise Wright are also prosecuting some of the 20 criminal cases that resulted from the operation.