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Glendale Police Investigate Sex Trafficking Operation Linked to Human Trafficking Debts

Lina Portman1 week ago

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Guzman drove the victim to the hotel where they arranged the meeting. Behind closed doors, she allegedly agreed to pay $200 in exchange for sex.

That's when she was arrested, but not charged, and offered resources to get out.

Police say the group of Cuban men are using several apartments, hotels and homes around Glendale and surrounding west Phoenix areas to traffic these women.

The victim told police she owed a man for immigrating to America, something Stacey Sutherland told police. Arizona Anti-Human Trafficking Network says this is a common tactic.

“When we talk about our foreign-born victims, who are not U.S. citizens, forcing them to work to pay various fees is a fairly common tactic. Added to this are additional costs: living expenses, food costs, etc. This debt continues to increase. It is then almost impossible to repay this debt,” she explained.

She says it's difficult to determine the number of victims in the valley.

“Whether it's, you know, you're sold for work or for sex or a combination of both. For some of our victims, identification is delayed. Sometimes victims never come forward,” Sutherland said.

She says it's a way of keeping someone in slavery by making them work to pay off a debt.

“Some of our victims put up land, family homes or businesses overseas as collateral. They work to repay that debt and know that if it doesn't work out for them, there will be repercussions for their families back home,” Sutherland said.

The victim did not want to talk about the men she allegedly owed, including Guzman. The victim in this case has refused any police resources.

Arizona Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-877-4-AZ-TIPS (1-877-373-7888)

Click here for human trafficking resources.