APD cracks down on human trafficking

AUSTIN (KXAN) - The number of cases of human trafficking are going up in the Austin area. Traffickers use the Interstate 35 corridor to bring their victims in. From Austin, the victims are sent to Houston, Dallas and Fort Worth. Detective Jerry Gonzalez with the Austin Police Department's Human Trafficking Unit said the number of cases have tripled in the last few years.
"It's everywhere," said Gonzalez. "Wherever you may have construction sites, brothels, escort services, restaurants. Basically anywhere there is forced labor."
Detective Gonzalez calls it "modern day slavery" where victims are exploited and sometimes abused. The Human Trafficking Unit most recently responded to a bust in Hays County where more than two dozen illegal immigrants were discovered in a home this summer. In Austin, detectives have been tracking down traffickers through Craigslist, where the trafficker may solicit services and the victims could be local.
"If they are underage they could be doing it willingly," said Gonzalez. "But, that's human trafficking if someone is being forced or corrected. American citizens can be trafficked here in Austin."
Yet, the biggest problem, Gonzalez said, is getting fearful victims to come forward to police and other organizations who help refugees in need, like Posada Esperanza.
"We open our doors to immigrants in need," said Hannah Bronsnick with Posada Esperanza. "Some of them are victims of human trafficking. We help them find jobs and help them with legal issues."
"I'm not for illegal immigration, but these people are victims," said Gonzalez. To report a human trafficking case, call 311.