DPS Serves Warrants in Multi-Agency Effort

September 10, 2020

EL PASO – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), along with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), served 13 state search warrants at several massage parlors in the El Paso area where labor and human trafficking was reported. This has been a long-term investigation and is still ongoing.

DPS Criminal Investigation Division Special Agents along with other law enforcement partners conducted the searches at various massage parlor locations, which resulted in 25 interviews and recovered evidence that supports the offenses of human trafficking, prostitution and aggravated promotion of prostitution.

The investigation involved multiple agencies, including the DPS (Special Agents and Texas Highway Patrol), FBI, HSI, El Paso Police Department, El Paso County Constables, Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, El Paso County Attorney’s Office and the Border Prosecution Unit for the District Attorney’s Office for the 34th Judicial District.

This investigation highlights how local, state and federal law enforcement partners work together to combat human trafficking. If you are a victim of human trafficking or have information to report about this type of criminal activity, please call the National Human Trafficking Hotline 888-373-7888.

### (DPS-West Texas Region)