Jun 25, 2025 11:23 AM IST

Operation Dragon Eye rescued 60 “critically lacking” kids within the Tampa Bay space.

Florida’s Office of Statewide Protection (OSP) joined arms with the US Marshals Office for the Central District of Florida to rescue 60 kids who had been trafficked as intercourse employees within the space. The announcement to declare Operation Dragon Eye profitable was made on Monday (June 23).

Operation Dragon Eye rescued 60 ‘critically lacking’ Florida kids.(X/ @fdlepio)

What is Operation Dragon Eye?

“Attorney General James Uthmeier joined the U.S. Marshal for the Central District of Florida William Berger to announce the rescue of 60 kids as a part of Operation Dragon Eye within the Tampa Bay Area. As a results of the operation, eight defendants had been arrested, together with one on costs of human trafficking,” says the official press launch.

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About 20 companies labored in tandem to find about 60 minors within the age group of 9-17 years who had been trafficked and had been liable to being exploited. One of the children recovered was found to be pregnant with the kid of her trafficker as nicely.

“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,” mentioned Attorney General James Uthmeier in a public assertion. “If you victimize kids, you are going to jail, finish of story.”

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Charges, prosecution, and restitution

“The unique part of this operation was the fact that underaged critically missing children ranging from age 9 to 17 were not only recovered but were debriefed and provided with physical and psychological care,” mentioned U.S. Marshal William Berger. “This operation additional included follow-up help in hopes that these youth won’t return again to the streets to be additional victimized.”

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Eight people have been arrested within the course of and now face costs of human trafficking, little one endangerment, drug possession, and drug trafficking. Special Counsel Rita Peters has been assigned to guide the prosecution within the matter. OSP is the lead prosecuting authority liable for dealing with the case with help from the State Attorneys of the Sixth and Thirteenth Judicial Circuits.

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The Department of Children and Families views this as a major victory to show how the safety and security of harmless people is taken into regard by the state. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has assured all mother and father {that a} search remains to be underway to get better any youngsters which can be nonetheless lacking.

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By Stuti Gupta