New York City police rescued 43 people, including seven minors, from human traffickers during the World Cup matches held in the area. The operations, conducted between June 11 and July 19, also led to 89 arrests.
The New York Police Department's Special Victims Unit carried out 87 operations targeting sex trafficking linked to the tournament. Those rescued are receiving support including food, housing and counseling.
Inspector Gary Marcus, commanding officer of the unit, highlighted the collaboration with partners and the department's advance preparations. These included visits to known offenders on parole or probation to ensure compliance.
Nationally, authorities reported more than 673 arrests on human-trafficking charges and 74 rescues during the event. The NYPD said the operations have generated new leads for ongoing investigations.
Matches took place across the United States, Mexico and Canada, with eight games at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium, including the final.
