TEXAS , UNITE STATES— More than 50 people have been arrested following a major multi-agency operation targeting human trafficking, prostitution and child exploitation during the FIFA World Cup period in North Texas.

Authorities announced that 56 suspects were arrested under an enforcement initiative known as Operation Red Card, while more than 40 potential trafficking victims were identified or recovered and linked with support services.

According to FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth, the operation was coordinated by the Tarrant County Human Trafficking Task Force and involved local, state and federal law-enforcement agencies working alongside nonprofit organisations that support trafficking survivors.

10 Suspects Accused of Targeting Minors

Authorities said 10 of the 56 people arrested are accused of attempting to arrange sexual encounters with individuals they believed were minors.

Investigators said the suspects believed they were communicating with children between the ages of 4 and 15, although the communications were part of undercover law-enforcement operations. Another 14 investigations remain active, with warrants still pending in some cases.

The operation involved several undercover strategies, including officers posing as sex workers, investigators responding to online sex advertisements and law-enforcement personnel posing online as minors.

Enforcement operations were conducted on different dates between June 15 and July 10, involving the Arlington Police Department, Fort Worth Police Department and Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office.

In one Arlington operation, 13 men were arrested after allegedly agreeing to pay for sex following online conversations with undercover officers. Four additional face-to-face undercover operations later resulted in 18 more arrests for solicitation of prostitution, according to authorities.

Federal Charges Filed

The operation has also resulted in federal cases. Prosecutors said two defendants have been federally charged with attempted enticement of a minor after allegedly attempting to arrange sexual encounters with someone they believed was a 14-year-old boy. The supposed minor was actually part of an undercover law-enforcement operation.

The U.S. Secret Service Dallas Field Office assisted investigators with undercover online personnel, technical expertise and analysis, while the FBI, U.S. Attorney’s Office and other agencies also participated in the wider operation.

More Than 40 Potential Victims Identified

Authorities stressed that Operation Red Card was not focused solely on arrests. More than 40 potential human-trafficking victims were identified or recovered and connected with organisations capable of providing assistance.

Unbound Now, a nonprofit organisation assisting trafficking survivors, said it continued providing services to 15 people identified in connection with the World Cup operations. Assistance can include emergency clothing, transportation, medical care, safe accommodation, counselling, educational support and long-term advocacy.

Officials said most of those targeted in the operation were from the Dallas-Fort Worth area, while investigations into additional suspects remain underway and further arrests or charges could follow.

Authorities said major international events can create opportunities for traffickers, making cooperation among law-enforcement agencies particularly important during such gatherings.