In joint operation, U.S. and Mexico arrest 8 in binational sex-trafficking ring
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}POMONA, CA - NOVEMBER 12: A man stands handcuffed as a female police officer posing as a prostitute fills out paperwork before returning to Holt Boulevard, known to sex workers throughout southern California as "the track", during a major prostitution sting operation November 12, 2004 in Pomona, California. Approximately 60 to 80 men are arrested each night during the sting operations. Cars driven by the arrested men are seized and become city property until a $1000 fine is paid. Each vehicle is then labeled with a large window sticker stating that the car was ?seized for solicitation of prostitution? and the photos of the men appear in a full-page ad in the local newspaper. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images) (2004 Getty Images)
Mexican and U.S. authorities say eight people have been arrested in an international trafficking ring that forced women and underage girls into prostitution.
Prosecutors in both countries say the ring was run by four families and based mainly in Mexico's Tlaxcala state and New York.
Mexican criminal investigations chief Tomás Zerón said Friday that the suspects wooed underage girls in Mexico via social media, then used psychological and physical force to coerce them.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The women and girls were smuggled into the U.S. One woman who made a complaint said she had two children with her abuser and he used them to threaten her.
The U.S. Attorney's Office said five people were arrested in Mexico, two in New York City and one in West Virginia.