Official: Federal agents investigating human trafficking in Northwest Arkansas

The duplex 1128 B Connor Street in Springdale was one of the Northwest Arkansas residences searched by Homeland Security officials on Thursday.
The duplex 1128 B Connor Street in Springdale was one of the Northwest Arkansas residences searched by Homeland Security officials on Thursday.

Federal agents with the Department of Homeland Security conducted nine searches across Northwest Arkansas Thursday in connection with a human trafficking investigation, a department spokesman said.

Due to the ongoing nature of the investigation, the spokesman, Bryan Cox of the Immigrations and Customs Enforcement Southern Region in Atlanta, declined to elaborate on the nature of the searches.

Cox said Thursday the case was being handled in conjunction with the U.S. District Attorney's office for the Western District of Arkansas, which he said would release more information.

The U.S. Attorney's office declined to comment on the investigation.

Cox said in an email Friday that four people were arrested during the searches on outstanding warrants and probation violations, but no human trafficking arrests were made.

Police in Fayetteville, Springdale and Rogers confirmed their agencies were assisting federal authorities. They directed questions to the federal agency.

Cox said the investigation was being led by Homeland Security, but that the search warrants were issued by the state out of Washington County.

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