Attorney General Jennifer Davenport, the Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ), and the New Jersey State Police (NJSP) today announced that anti-human trafficking investigations around New Jersey before and during the 2026 FIFA World Cup resulted in the recovery of 97 suspected human trafficking victims and led to 71 arrests, including 40 of alleged buyers of commercial sex and 31 others involved in perpetrating other offenses.

“The Division of Criminal Justice and the New Jersey State Police worked seamlessly with partners at different levels of government, leading to the recovery of dozens of residents suffering through exploitation and trauma. While the World Cup highlighted the importance of the work we do each day to fight human trafficking, that mission is a priority for our office, and we will be unrelenting in providing assistance to victims and ensuring accountability for perpetrators long after the international spotlight fades.” – AG Davenport