A top state prosecutor says it's important for law enforcement to be trained on how to spot the victims of human trafficking.
That's what's behind a meeting Monday in West Palm Beach.
"A lot of times human trafficking can slip by unnoticed. You can have an arrest for prostitution or for low level drug possession and not know that that defendant is actually a victim."
Palm Beach County State Attorney Dave Aronberg is hosting Attorney General Ashley Moody, Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nunez, as well as leaders in law enforcement.
The Statewide Council on Human Trafficking works to build on existing state and local partnerships to combat the crime.
Aronberg says the victims are among us.
"These individuals can be working our fields. Sometimes they can be working in our nail salons."
He says the victims are lured to our country under false pretenses and then forced to work off a debt and often threatened with harm to themselves or family members.
"So when you see someone there who is not allowed to handle the cash, who is afraid to look at you in the eye, who may be living on the premises...those are tell-tale signs of human trafficking."
There were human trafficking allegations involved in the raid at a Jupiter massage parlor where New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft allegedly paid for sex acts, but none of the charges against him rose to that level.
That case is on appeal, after a judge granted a request from Kraft's attorneys to throw out video evidence.
The meeting is happening not far from Miami, where the Super Bowl is being held in under two months.
Aronberg says law enforcement throughout South Florida will be watching closely for victims.
"Whenever you have an event that brings in a lot of people from around the world, especially a sporting event where there's lots of social activity and alcohol, there unfortunately seems to be a spike in sex trafficking."
There will be another meeting in January of state and federal officials ahead of the Super Bowl.
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