In what's being called one of the worst human trafficking cases ever seen in Hillsborough County, eight women between the ages of 18 and 24 were rescued, and two suspected traffickers arrested on 47 charges each.
Sheriff Chad Chronister says investigators got a tip recently that a number of women escaped Cuba and came into the U.S. through the Mexican border. "The tip further explained that the traffickers made threats against the women and their families," Chronister said. "and if the debt was not immediately repaid, they'd be forced to work in the sex trade until her financial obligation was satisfied."
Chronister says the women were forced into the sex trade to pay off their $60 thousand "travel debt."
Seven of the victims were picked up by deputies at Tampa's International Plaza, while the 8th rescue came during raids of two of the traffickers' properties.
photo: Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office