Human Trafficking and Cartels

Human Trafficking, both nationally and internationally, has evolved into a global industry with annual profits of more than a hundred billion dollars.  This illegal industry, once dominated by Asian and Eastern European crime groups, as well as organizations from Latin America, has now become a growth industry for Mexican Drug Cartels as well.  Additionally, those who are trafficked into the United States are often used by these groups to support other criminal enterprises.

Every day across the United States, law enforcement professionals cross paths with human trafficking victims as well as those who traffic them, often without ever recognizing the signs.  Students of this class will:

• Learn the definitions and differences in various forms of human trafficking.

• Become familiar with significant international crime groups involved in trafficking.

• Understand the evolution of contemporary Mexican cartel trafficking operations.

• Understand and recognize the signs of human trafficking and related crimes.