Overview

• Operation Dragon Eye was a two-week June initiative involving 20 federal, state and local agencies that recovered 60 critically missing children across Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco counties.
• Recovered youth ranged from 9 to 17 years old and were deemed critically missing due to risks such as violence exposure, substance abuse and sexual exploitation.
• Eight individuals were arrested on charges including human trafficking, child endangerment and narcotics possession, and investigators are pursuing additional trafficking cases.
• Each rescued child received immediate medical evaluations, psychological support and coordinated follow-up services to reduce the chances of reexploitation.
• Florida leaders have allocated over $5.8 million for emergency shelter expansion and victim support as the state remains among the top three nationwide for reported human trafficking incidents.