In a major national effort to combat human trafficking, over 150 law enforcement agencies across the United States joined forces for “Operation Coast to Coast.” The result: more than 30 arrests and the rescue of at least 70 victims—some of them minors—trapped in one of the fastest-growing criminal industries in the nation.
The multi-agency initiative, focused primarily on shutting down illicit massage businesses tied to organized crime, struck a blow to the estimated $5 billion sex trafficking industry operating within the U.S. The operation was led by retired Missouri state trooper Dan Nash and his Human Trafficking Training Center (HTTC), a group working to fill a crucial gap in law enforcement readiness.
Nash has been vocal about the lack of specialized training officers receive in identifying and responding to human trafficking. “Most people think that the police officers are trained, but they’re not. They don’t get this kind of training,” Nash explained.
Through HTTC, Nash and his team have trained thousands of officers nationwide, preparing them to recognize signs of coercion, forced criminality, and trafficking tactics that are often hidden in plain sight. Only agencies that had undergone HTTC training participated in the operation, ensuring the focus remained on rescuing victims rather than misidentifying them as criminals.
In states like California and New York, Nash said the number of illicit massage businesses now surpasses the combined total of McDonald’s and Starbucks locations. These establishments are often fronts for trafficking operations, particularly those run by Chinese organized crime groups. Nash estimates that there are roughly 19,000 such operations nationwide, with their presence growing by 32 percent over the past three years.
That explosive growth, he argued, is no coincidence. “We’ve not been giving our law enforcement officers the tools they need to battle trafficking, and that’s why trafficking continues to increase,” Nash said, attributing part of the rise to more permissive border policies under the Biden administration. Smugglers have exploited these policies, bringing in victims under the radar and into a life of forced labor or sexual exploitation.
Operation Coast to Coast sought to shut down up to 100 illegal businesses and, more importantly, free the individuals trapped within them. These victims often face psychological manipulation, language barriers, and even addiction—tactics traffickers use to maintain control.
Kristi Wells, CEO of the Safe House Project, emphasized the importance of comprehensive survivor care following rescue. Without it, an estimated 80 percent of trafficking victims end up being exploited again.
“Our team does a beautiful job of building trust with that survivor,” Wells said. “We find translators, provide therapy, and give them the thing that’s been robbed from them—choice.”
Wells said the coordinated effort sends a clear signal. “Operation Coast to Coast has opened an opportunity to send this clear message to traffickers that this crime isn’t going to be tolerated in our community.”
The results of the operation underscore what’s possible when law enforcement agencies are properly trained and supported. The HTTC and the Safe House Project represent two key pillars in the ongoing fight against trafficking—prevention and restoration.
Since its inception in 2024, Operation Coast to Coast has demonstrated a scalable, effective model for future anti-trafficking efforts. The initiative’s success proves that a proactive, collaborative approach, backed by targeted training and survivor-centered care, can make a measurable difference.
As the threat of human trafficking continues to evolve, this operation serves as a powerful reminder: with the right tools, training, and partnerships, law enforcement can deliver justice to the perpetrators and restore hope to the victims.