Font ResizeLAS CRUCES -- A human trafficking hot line has been set up as part of the FBI's approach to aggressively combat the crime.
The New Mexico Human Trafficking Working Group, which includes representatives from community and social organizations, government agencies and law enforcement, made the announcement after its quarterly meeting in Las Cruces on Thursday.
The FBI and other police agencies are currently investigating several cases of alleged human trafficking in New Mexico. In 2009, the FBI nationwide opened 167 such investigations, almost double the cases opened in 2004. The cases often involve immigrants and runaways who are forced into prostitution or unpaid physical labor, often in agriculture or domestic service, according to the FBI.
Anyone with information on human trafficking can call the state hotline at (505) 889-1300 or the national hotline, (888) 428-7581, or visit AQ.FBI@ic.fbi.gov.
