New federal data from Bureau of Justice Statistics shows that human trafficking crimes in the US have increased by 26% over the past decade. Several agencies have cracked down on the problem, including Oklahoma.

In 2012, the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics discovered that criminal drug organizations were selling people. They built an investigative department to rescue these people and bring their traffickers to justice.

“In some cases, criminal organizations make more money moving people than drugs,” said Mark Woodward, public information officer at OBN.

Las Vegas inspired the OBN program and many of Oklahoma’s current human trafficking laws.

“They have some of the best laws on the books,” Woodward said. “They were able to tell us what’s working and what’s not—what the patterns are to look for.”

Since 2012, OBN agents have arrested approximately 300 people related to sex trafficking. They have rescued nearly 180 adult human trafficking survivors and over 60 children.

“Knowing that many of these are children is very, very difficult,” Woodward said.

On Tuesday, OBN agents arrested Eric Davis, 41, for allegedly manufacturing child pornography involving a victim of human trafficking.

“This is a market that is in demand,” Woodward said.

Woodward said traffickers train people, including children, into specific lifestyles that condition them to remain loyal and quiet. Investigators often struggle to identify them.

“One of the biggest barriers we have to overcome is even getting some of these people to realize they are victims,” ​​Woodward said.

Even though it’s been a decade since this work began, Woodward said their efforts never stop.

“It’s something that’s ongoing,” Woodward said.

Woodward said they spend a lot of time in schools educating kids about the dangers of sharing information online. Social media is a starting point for many traffic meetings. Woodward said parents should always monitor their children’s social media activity.

To submit an anonymous tip about human trafficking, people can call OBN agents at 800-617-2288 or visit www.obndd.ok.gov/programs-services/human-trafficking.