Human trafficking victims in our area?

When you think of human trafficking and sex trades, you probably think of far-off places, but law enforcement agencies say it is a problem in our area -- and possibly a growing one.

Figures from the federal government suggest human trafficking is the third most profitable criminal activity, bringing in billions of dollars, only behind drugs and weapons trading.

For so long it's been an under-reported problem, but as agencies get more funding and training the better they understand human trafficking.

An FBI agent lectured local law enforcement, volunteers and citizens Friday at a seminar in Conway hosted by the Eastern Carolinas Coalition Against Human Trafficking.

As many as 17,000 foreign nationals are trafficked illegally into our country every year. The experts say many of them are coerced by promises of a better life and assurances of legal entrance into America.

Once in the United States, however, the victims are forced into sex trades, forced labor or sweat shops. Other statistics show even more Americans are trafficked within the US every year. Some estimate as many as 200,000 children are at risk.

The experts say it's happening in the Pee Dee and along the Grand Strand, although it's difficult to pinpoint how many are victims.

"When we talk about the Pee Dee, we look at migrant workers, people working in orchards or fields and things like that. And we're looking at when they bring women in and they're in lines waiting, you know, you see a line of men," said Lynda Leventis-Wells, director of the Carolinas Institute for Community Policing.

The director went on to say some of the human trafficking victims may be working in the hospitality industry.

Here are some indicators Leventis-Wells said could be a sign of human trafficking:

-A home or business that's heavily guarded; for instance, barbed wire that faces inward surrounds the premises.

-A large group of women, usually foreign and of Asian or Hispanic descent, being watched by males while they shop at large big-box stores.

-A large group of women, usually foreign and of Asian or Hispanic descent, being driven by a male who holds passports, important papers, etc. for them.

But the old adage remains: if it doesn't seem right, let police know.