Executive Summary
- North Carolina ranks ninth in the United States for human trafficking, with 301 cases and 580 victims identified in 2024.
- A U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) effort, “Operation Charlotte’s Web,” is targeting criminal aliens and highlighting the state’s trafficking crisis.
- Charlotte is a major trafficking hub due to its location on major interstates, with reported cases of minor trafficking in the city increasing by 76% from 2020 to 2024.
- Officials link the state’s trafficking problem to its highway system, demand for cheap labor, and increased gang activity.
A U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) initiative, dubbed “Operation Charlotte’s Web,” is bringing renewed focus to North Carolina’s significant human trafficking problem, as recent data ranks the state ninth in the nation for such cases. According to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, 301 cases involving 580 victims were identified in the state in 2024, highlighting the scale of the issue being confronted by federal and local authorities.
Statewide Trafficking Statistics
The hotline’s data for 2024 indicates a breakdown of 145 sex trafficking cases, 73 labor trafficking cases, and 38 incidents involving both. The victims included 211 adults and 73 minors. Officials note that North Carolina’s extensive interstate system, demand for inexpensive labor in key industries, and rising gang activity contribute to its role as a prime location for traffickers.
Charlotte as a Trafficking Hub
The city of Charlotte is identified as a central hub, largely due to the convergence of Interstates 77 and 85, which provide traffickers with easy routes from South Florida to other major U.S. cities like Houston and New York. A 2025 report from the Charlotte Metro Human Trafficking Task Force revealed a 76% increase in reported minor trafficking cases between 2020 and 2024. In 2024 alone, 106 minors were identified as suspected or confirmed victims in the city.
Toby Braun, founder of American Special Investigative Group, told Fox News Digital that criminal organizations, such as the Bloods, leverage extensive resources to traffic and conceal victims. This is compounded by an increase in organized gang activity across the state. In a separate but related development, law enforcement arrested a suspected member of the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang in Raleigh in February, underscoring the connection between transnational crime and local public safety.
Recruitment and Prevention
Traffickers often target individuals with identifiable vulnerabilities at locations like bus stations and shelters, or through online platforms such as social media and gaming apps. This method, known as “digital grooming,” involves building trust online before arranging an in-person meeting. Authorities advise parents to maintain open communication with their children about online safety and be aware of their digital activities.
Representative Mark Harris (NC-08) commented on the situation, stating, “We’ve got a serious issue going on in Charlotte,” and expressed support for the CBP’s targeted enforcement actions. The operation focuses on areas identified through intelligence as having a high concentration of suspects. It is important to note that all individuals arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.