Portland, OR – Nine people were arrested last week in a human trafficking sting operation carried out by the Portland Police Bureau (PPB) along Northeast 82nd Avenue and Sandy Boulevard, authorities said.
The operation, carried out on December 19 by the PPB’s Human Trafficking Unit (HTU), was initiated in response to community complaints about nuisance activity in the area.
Those arrested, aged 20 to 49, are charged with commercial sexual solicitation and unlawful prostitution procurement. The suspects are from various Oregon and Washington cities, including Portland, Vancouver, Salem, Beaverton, and Forest Grove.
During the operation, law enforcement towed two vehicles and gathered evidence for ongoing trafficking investigations. Multiple agencies participated in the mission, including several Portland police precincts, the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office, and Multnomah County Parole & Probation.
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Victim services specialists contacted about seven people identified as probable trafficking victims, giving them help and resources through the Police Bureau’s Victim Services Unit and Safety Compass, a nonprofit organization that serves survivors under the age of 25.
“HTU cases are complex with several identified barriers such as repeated traumatic exposures, trauma bonds with traffickers, and fear of retaliation,” said a police spokesperson. The unit emphasizes a trauma-informed, victim-centered approach in partnership with community organizations.
Anyone suspecting human trafficking should contact Portland Police at 503-823-3333 or the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.
