Mexican law enforcement officers detained more than 1,000 men and women in July during an investigation of sexual exploitation and human trafficking in Juárez. The Mexican Public Safety Ministry said the sweep was part of Mexico's child abduction recovery plan under the new National AMBER Alert Program.
Officers removed people out of 24 bars, 3 hotels, and 2 guest homes and transported them to state police offices. A total of 20 female minors were rescued, and 500 men and 530 women were detained on suspicion of human trafficking and sexual exploitation.
On the same day of the operation, the AMBER Alert operation was launched, and Mexican officials issued an Alba Alert for an 18-year-old girl who went missing on her way to apply for a job in downtown Juárez. The alert was sent to U.S. immigration authorities in case she crossed the international bridge.