Inspector Gary Marcus and the NYPD rescued 43 people from human trafficking during the World Cup matches in the New York City area.

Inspector Gary Marcus, commanding officer of the NYPD’s Special Victims Unit, reported that law enforcement rescued 43 people, including seven minors, from human trafficking during the World Cup. The NYPD conducted 87 operations between June 11 and July 19, resulting in 89 arrests. These efforts targeted sex trafficking across the five boroughs, with detectives monitoring watch parties and online communications to identify victims. The NYPD collaborated with advocacy partners to provide survivors with immediate social services, including housing, food, and counseling. Inspector Gary Marcus noted that the department spent years preparing for the tournament by visiting known traffickers to ensure they remained compliant with their release terms. Nationally, the Department of Homeland Security reported more than 673 arrests on human-trafficking charges during the tournament. In Georgia, Special Agent in Charge Steven Schrank led "Operation Red Card," which resulted in 153 arrests across metro Atlanta. These multi-agency efforts successfully identified dozens of victims, providing them with safety planning and emergency supplies to escape criminal exploitation.

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