The police are now investigating a possible case of human trafficking following operations on Port Henderson Road, Portmore in St Catherine yesterday morning in which 40 people, including two teenage girls, were detained.

Head of corporate communications for the Jamaica Constabulary Force Superintendent Stephanie Lindsay told the Jamaica Observer that two operations were carried out approximately 5:00 am and 7:00 am on the strip popularly referred to as “Back Road”.

She said the aim of the operations was to apprehend individuals who were listed as persons of interest.

Lindsay, while confirming that two underaged girls were taken into custody, said the police are investigating a case of human trafficking.

Up to press time, Lindsay said the police were still processing the two teenagers and the others who they believe were transported to St Catherine.

The operations came on the heels of the launch of Trafficking in Persons Week.

On Monday, the Ministry of National Security and the Ministry of Justice held a press conference at the Ministry of Justice on Constant Spring Road in Kingston focussing on the issue of human trafficking.

The press conference signalled the start of a week of activities, being observed under the theme ‘Stop Human Trafficking: Everybody Business’ that will see the National Taskforce Against Trafficking in Persons taking the message to the residents of Rocky Point, Clarendon, and Spanish Town, St Catherine.

In 2016, an estimated 45.8 million people were victims of human trafficking globally.

According to the United States Department of State Diplomacy in Action website, Jamaica is a source and destination for adults and children subjected to sex trafficking and forced labour.