2 women arrested after monthslong Dallas human trafficking ring investigation

DALLAS (TCD) -- Two women have been arrested after authorities reportedly broke up a human trafficking ring on Friday, Jan. 28, following a monthslong investigation.

According to KDFW-TV, police executed a search warrant at an apartment complex at 5930 Arapaho Road after two victims came forward and talked about being forced into prostitution.

According to WFAA-TV, the victims who came forward were from Latin American countries, and they were allegedly lured over the internet with the promise of a job. Five women were rescued in three locations, KDFW reports.

According to KDFW, the suspects allegedly took advantage of women from other countries and forced them into prostitution. WFAA reports 38-year-old Arely Lopez-Guzman and 38-year-old Fabiola Cardenas were arrested as a result of the investigation for "compelling prostitution and trafficking of persons." Lopez-Guzman has reportedly been bonded out of jail, and Cardenas is on an immigration hold.

In a statement, Dallas Police Lt. Lisette Rivera told WFAA, "There are people out there that will take advantage of those that are the most vulnerable. Those that have food insecurities, housing insecurities, there are people out there looking for jobs and people will take advantage of that."

According to WFAA, human trafficking is primarily a huge issue in the Dallas-Fort Worth area because of how Interstate 35 stretches from South Texas to North Texas, which turns Dallas into a hub for the illegal activity. The Dallas-Fort Worth area is reportedly No. 2 in the United States when it comes to human trafficking.

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