Blog #5: Mexico Arrests Four in Sex Trafficking Ring

           On February 15^th, four individuals accused of running a sex trafficking circle in Mexico for the past decade were arrested.  The Mexican Attorney General’s Office (PGR) publicized the arrest.  PGR deputy reported that the venture was run by a family based out of Tlaxcala, a central, poor area.  The members of this scheme lured young girls ages 15 to 18 using false claims of romance.   They were then smuggled over U.S. boarders and forced to work as prostitutes in New York.  This case had been reported to be under investigation since January 2011.  The US Embassy in Mexico initially raised concerns and it is believed that in addition to the four arrested men, there ate at least seven others stationed in the U.S. 

          Mexican networks have been at a high lately, according to the articles I often come by.  Young girls are being targeted and sold into this modern day form of slavery.  Often these girls are found in areas that experience more poverty than others.  This plays a large factor in the girls being more willing or desperate to take up offers from these network leaders.  The young girls, often already working to provide for themselves, their families, and sometimes their children, are not in a position to turn down offers of higher paying work.  They also have been told numerous times that the US is a good place to relocate and better their lives, so when the network leaders offer them jobs and US benefits overseas, the offer almost seems flawless.  Because the area is also a victim of poverty, resources are limited and services are too.  There are fewer officials to police the situations allowing leaders to be able to get away with this horrible business and making these areas a prime target. 

http://insightcrime.org/insight-latest-news/item/2229-mexico-arrests-four-in-sex-trafficking-ring