FLORIDA, United States, (CMC) – The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency has arrested several Cuban and Haitian nationals among 255 individuals detained during a large-scale human trafficking sting.

ICE said the arrests were linked to offences including soliciting prostitution, aiding or abetting prostitution, and child exploitation. More than 30 ICE detainers were placed with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office for the sting.

The individuals arrested — originally from Venezuela, Cuba, Honduras, Mexico, Haiti, Colombia, Guatemala, and Brazil — will be taken into ICE custody once their criminal cases are resolved. Their charges range from solicitation of prostitution to soliciting a minor for sex.

“ICE is in a unique position to enforce immigration law in the interior of the US with its broad investigatory authorities and law enforcement capabilities,” said ICE ERO Assistant Field Office Director David Gritte. “Our congressionally mandated mission is to preserve public safety and national security by keeping dangerous criminal aliens out of our communities.

“We prioritise public safety over politics. Brave officers are on the streets every day, risking their lives to locate, arrest and remove the most egregious criminal aliens in line with the president’s policy of ‘worst first’. We are committed to our partnerships in these efforts to identity and combat predators engaged in human trafficking and child exploitation,” Gritte added.

A Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) task force officer (TFO) from the Tampa office joined the operation, providing investigative support in both the human trafficking and child exploitation aspects of the case. The TFO and a forensic interview specialist participated in undercover online communications with suspects — known as “travelers” — who were attempting to engage in sexual activity with minors.

Following the arrests, the forensic interview specialist conducted interviews to identify any potential victims of sex trafficking.

“It is extremely disturbing when we encounter child predators like these who are very eager to have sex with children,” said Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd. “This is why we conduct these types of undercover operations.

“Keeping children safe is our number one priority, and we appreciate our partnering agencies without whom we would not be as successful in apprehending these dangerous offenders.”

Once criminal proceedings are completed, ICE said it will take custody of those in the country illegally and begin deportation proceedings.