ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Homeland Security Investigations is launching a new initiative aimed at training law enforcement agencies in New Mexico to tackle interstate human trafficking.
HSI announced yesterday that the Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigations Division will help develop a training program on how New Mexico officers can spot human trafficking victims.
Kevin Abar, assistant special agent in charge of HSI in New Mexico, says Texas DPS has been able to stop a number of human trafficking rings. But he says Texas troopers noticed that some cases had New Mexico ties, and officials decided that more collaboration was needed.
Abar says it's not known how many sex trafficking and child exploitation rings are operating in New Mexico. Investigators believe, however, a number of trafficking rings are operating through isolated money and drug routes.