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FLORIDA - Authorities in Tampa Bay recovered 60 missing youths in a high-stakes raid across Central Florida.
In a dramatic two week push dubbed Operation Dragon Eye, U.S. Marshals and state investigators recovered 60 children aged nine to seventeen who were deemed critically missing and vulnerable to violence or exploitation.
Eight adults were arrested, facing charges that allegedly include human trafficking, child endangerment, drug possession, and drug trafficking.
At least one arrest is directly linked to alleged human trafficking, and two additional trafficking cases are reportedly under active investigation.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, flanked by U.S. Marshal William Berger, hailed the mission as perhaps the largest child recovery in the history of the U.S. Marshal Service.
Uthmeier emphasized that protecting minors is his top priority and warned those who exploit children that they will face prison.
Berger underlined that rescued youths were not only found but also provided immediate physical and psychological support, along with longer term services to prevent revictimization.
This sweeping operation spanned Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco counties, mobilizing more than 100 personnel from at least 20 agencies.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Mark Glass reinforced the message, stating that Florida will never be a safe haven for traffickers and that the fight to locate missing children will not end.
Local nonprofits also played a key role, especially in caring for rescued youths, some of whom were pregnant minors, as they transition to safe environments with medical and emotional care.
Officials pledged ongoing efforts until every missing child is safely returned and those allegedly responsible are brought to justice.