KINGSTON, Jamaica — Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) in charge of crime, Fitz Bailey, says that the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Unit has rescued 96 human trafficking victims since its establishment in 2005.

In addition, some 36 people have been arrested and charged with human trafficking and related offences.

“We have secured several convictions through the courts and we continue to conduct training and workshops locally and internationally,” Bailey said.

 Between 2010 and 2018, more than 750 anti-trafficking operations were conducted, resulting in 82 victims being rescued, 30 suspected traffickers arrested, and the dismantling of three prostitution rings.

Head of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Vice Squad, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Carl Berry said that people have been charged and convicted of offences directly related to human trafficking such as rape, forced labour, forced begging, child trafficking and sex trafficking.

He said there have been other convictions “for offences akin to human trafficking, meaning things that are not totally human trafficking, but were done within the course of the activity.”

DSP Berry said that the 96 people, who have been rescued, include children from Honduras, males from Italy, a female from China as well as locals.

“We have assisted in the rescue of victims, who are non-nationals, who were trafficked in other countries,” he said.

 Human trafficking is described as a modern-day form of slavery. It is the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons by improper means (such as force, abduction, fraud, or coercion) for an improper purpose, including forced labour or sexual exploitation.

Human trafficking is recognised as a global organised criminal activity and is one of the most heinous and lucrative crimes.

Women and girls account for 71 per cent of the vast majority of all trafficking victims.

They can be found in massage parlours, escort services, bars and strip clubs, resort areas, hotels and nightclubs, some homes, hair and nail salons; and engaged in agricultural work, drug sales and cultivation, restaurants, commercial sex areas, pornography, forced begging situations, among others.