Volusia County police arrested 18 individuals through a human trafficking and prostitution operation that ran during Biketoberfest.
According to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, the operation ran from Thursday, October 13 to Sunday, October 16 at two separate rental locations in the New Smyrna Beach area.
During the operation, detectives arrested six men and twelve women on various charges including soliciting or offering prostitution and narcotics possession, among other charges.
In one instance, two 17-year-old girls were staying in a hotel room and were voluntarily posting ads to solicit money in exchange for sexual acts. A 27-year-old man who purchased the hotel for the girls was arrested and charged with child neglect and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
One of the individuals that was arrested was found to be in possession of several small bags of cocaine, while others were arrested with fentanyl, bath salts, and methamphetamine.