TRENTON — Attorney General Jennifer Davenport, the Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ), and the New Jersey State Police (NJSP) today announced that anti-human trafficking investigations around New Jersey before and during the 2026 FIFA World Cup resulted in the recovery of 97 suspected human trafficking victims and led to 71 arrests, including 40 of alleged buyers of commercial sex and 31 others involved in perpetrating other offenses.

Multiagency efforts were launched to fight trafficking and exploitation in connection with the international soccer tournament, since major sporting events can provide opportunities for traffickers to further exploit vulnerable members of society. The enforcement efforts were led by DCJ and NJSP, working with 44 local, county, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. Proactive outreach operations took place in several counties across the state.

In partnership with Covenant House, Volunteers of America, and the NJSP’s Operation RISE (Recovery, Initiative Support & Engagement), detectives identified potential trafficking victims and offered to connect them with services. Those services include housing, mental health care, legal assistance, as well as connecting them to resources like treatment for substance abuse disorder.

Results of the human trafficking operations were discussed at a press conference Monday, where First Assistant Attorney General Katherine Calle joined Acting Superintendent Jeanne Hengemuhle of the New Jersey State Police and FBI Newark Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy to highlight the cooperative efforts that successfully protected the FIFA World Cup 2026, including the final held yesterday in New Jersey.

“The Division of Criminal Justice and the New Jersey State Police worked seamlessly with partners at different levels of government, leading to the recovery of dozens of residents suffering through exploitation and trauma,” said Attorney General Davenport. “While the World Cup highlighted the importance of the work we do each day to fight human trafficking, that mission is a priority for our office, and we will be unrelenting in providing assistance to victims and ensuring accountability for perpetrators long after the international spotlight fades.”

“These operations reflect a trauma-informed approach to addressing the underlying causes of human trafficking and prostitution,” said Theresa Hilton, Director of the Division of Criminal Justice. “Victims are being offered support to address their vulnerabilities and give them a way out. They’re being offered hope and a path forward to safety, care, and hopefully a better life.”

“Human trafficking is a serious and often hidden crime that can have devastating and long-lasting impacts on victims. We recognize that large-scale events can create opportunities for traffickers and other criminal activity, which is why we took a proactive and forward-thinking approach to addressing this threat,” said Jeanne Hengemuhle, Acting Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. “By working closely with our state and local law enforcement partners, we strengthened our efforts to identify and combat human trafficking. We also recognized that law enforcement cannot do this alone, which is why we included nonprofit and community-based organizations in our planning. Supporting victims is a critical part of this mission, and our goal is not only to disrupt trafficking but to ensure victims have access to the resources and support they need to begin their recovery.”

DCJ and the NJSP led the effort that included at least 44 law enforcement agencies involved in the outreach and enforcement activities associated with the World Cup. Through dozens of distinct operational details that took place on various dates between May and July 2026, law enforcement officers found and assisted with the recovery of the victims and made the arrests.

Those cases are being handled by their respective county prosecutor’s offices.

These operations, which in some cases triggered ongoing criminal investigations, were among a series of steps New Jersey law enforcement took in recent months to prevent human trafficking, raise awareness, and promote public safety during the World Cup.

They included letters being sent to New Jersey’s licensed medical professionals and licensed cosmetology professionals – who may come into contact with human trafficking victims – educating them on red flags to look out for. Notices were also sent to an array of businesses, including hotels and motels, massage businesses, and online payment apps, reminding them of their legal obligations to prevent trafficking and how they could face civil enforcement actions if they engaged in sex trafficking or financially benefitted from knowing participation in it. Training was also provided to municipal fire inspectors and code enforcement officers, since they might encounter potential trafficking situations during property inspections.

Additionally, an awareness campaign launched in June warned about the risk of trafficking associated with large international sporting events and included ads at airports, airlines, hotels, accommodation providers, transportation networks, media platforms, and fan venues.

Residents are urged to be on the lookout for warning signs of human trafficking, whose victims may:

·    Avoid eye contact or exhibit extraordinarily fearful, anxious, depressed, submissive, tense, or paranoid behavior

·    Be accompanied by someone much better dressed to whom they are submissive

·    Not speak for themselves even if they are directly addressed

·    Exhibit signs of physical abuse or restraint

·    Appear underfed or malnourished

·    Not have the freedom to separate themselves from those accompanying them

·    Be in the commercial sex industry and have a pimp/manager

·    Work excessively long and/or unusual hours and owe a large or increasing debt

Anyone who suspects they have identified potential trafficking victims should contact 855-END-NJ-HT (855-363-6548). If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking or if you need victim assistance, contact Covenant House 24/7 at 862-240-2453.