Mississippi law enforcement recently detained three individuals at a casino property within the state on suspicion of being implicated in a human trafficking situation. The joint operation, which occurred in mid-April, involved multiple tribal and state agencies working collaboratively to halt the illegal activity and apprehend the alleged culprits.
The Choctaw Police Department, Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), Office of Justice Services (OJS), Division of Drug Enforcement (DDE) and Neshoba County Sheriff’s Office spearheaded the law enforcement process.
In particular, law enforcement officials centered their investigation on the Golden Moon Hotel and Casino in Mississippi, with the goal to identify and liberate victims of human trafficking. The multi-agency operation, carried out successfully on April 12-13, 2024, resulted in the detention of three individuals.
Detentions and Drug Seizures Mark Operations Success
Reports state that a female victim involved in prostitution was among those implicated in the case.
As part of the operation, a male suspect was arrested in connection with a child pornography case. The person in question is also a potential suspect in a juvenile sexual assault case. Furthermore, authorities apprehended another individual for possession of crack cocaine and associated paraphernalia.
In terms of narcotics, a total of one gram of methamphetamine, three grams of powder cocaine, 31 grams of crack cocaine, and 10 grams of marijuana were seized by law enforcement, along with two firearms and two mobile devices.
The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians confirms the operation was executed without incident and was considered successful.
The operation proved successful in unifying law enforcement agencies and carrying out a covert operation without any reported incidents. The quantity and nature of the seized items, particularly firearms, from the casino and subsequent arrests will likely have a substantial impact on our communities. The safety of our officers and agents remained paramount throughout the operation.
Statement from the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians
In relation to the industry’s commitment towards combating human trafficking, the AGA unveiled an enhanced gaming-specific toolkit earlier this year. Simultaneously, Hard Rock and Seminole Gaming pledged to redefine the standard for such training within the gaming industry.
