How could 60 children go missing in Florida, only to be rescued in an audacious sting operation that resulted in eight arrests?
At a Glance
- “Operation Dragon Eye,” a multi-agency sting in the Tampa Bay area, has rescued 60 “critically missing” children aged 9 to 17.
- The operation led to the arrest of eight individuals on charges including human trafficking, child endangerment, and drug possession.
- Officials are calling it the most successful child recovery operation in the history of the U.S. Marshals Service.
- The rescued children, many of whom were victims of trafficking and sexual exploitation, are now receiving medical and psychological care.
A Historic Rescue in Florida
In what officials are calling the largest and most successful child rescue mission in U.S. history, a two-week sting dubbed “Operation Dragon Eye” has recovered 60 critically missing children in Florida. The children, aged 9 to 17, had been identified as being at high risk for violent crime, sexual exploitation, and substance abuse.
The operation, led by the U.S. Marshals Service for the Middle District of Florida, also resulted in the arrest of eight individuals who now face a range of charges, including human trafficking, child endangerment, drug trafficking, and custodial interference. At a press conference, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier praised the effort, stating, “The real heroes behind this operation are the law enforcement who built and executed this mission. As your Attorney General and a father of three young kids, protecting children is my top priority,” according to the Daily Mail.
The Power of Interagency Cooperation
The success of Operation Dragon Eye was driven by the unprecedented collaboration of 20 federal, state, and local agencies. The task force included not only law enforcement but also social service entities, the medical community, and nonprofit organizations. “No one agency can do it,” stated Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Mark Glass, emphasizing the unified approach.
U.S. Marshal William Berger noted that a unique aspect of the mission was the immediate provision of care. “The unique part of this operation was the fact that underage critically missing children… were not only recovered but were debriefed and provided with physical and psychological care,” he said, as reported by the Hindustan Times.
The Horrific Reality of Trafficking
The operation shed light on the brutal reality faced by the victims. Natasha Nascimento, founder of the nonprofit Redefining Refuge, which assisted in the operation, revealed the gut-wrenching details.
“Several children that were recovered during this operation were pregnant; one such child, a girl, was just barely beginning her own life, and yet she was carrying a life inside of her. The baby, actually, of her trafficker,” Nascimento said. “Because of you, a baby has an opportunity to be born addiction-free. This child was forced to use substances. A baby gets to be born to a mom who is not being sold every day.”
A Commitment to Justice
Florida officials have vowed to prosecute the offenders to the fullest extent of the law. The state’s Office of Statewide Prosecution, with Special Counsel Rita Peters leading, will handle the human trafficking cases.
Attorney General Uthmeier delivered a direct and unambiguous message to would-be criminals. “If you victimize children, you’re going to prison, end of story,” he declared, a sentiment echoed by local law enforcement. As reported by WUSF Public Media, law enforcement officials have promised to continue their efforts, warning traffickers, “We’re coming to get you.”
