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To this day, human trafficking remains far more rampant and widespread than most people give it credit for. Many folks believe the buying and selling of humans couldn't possibly occur in their own communities. However, the opposite is true.

A lack of media coverage about human trafficking feeds into the illusion of it not being a widespread issue. Oftentimes, when folks aren't constantly seeing something in the mainstream press, they assume it's not an issue.

Thankfully, human trafficking's gained more attention in recent years. Law enforcement is also increasing its efforts to crack down on this crime, rescue survivors, and hold perpetrators accountable.

Nevertheless, the fight against human trafficking is far from over. Very recently in Texas, Dallas police wound up dismantling a sex trafficking ring in a Plano residence.

The Plano trafficking ring, arrests made, and more

Dallas law enforcement learned about the trafficking ring happening in a rental home in Plano after receiving a tip months back in July.

41-year-old Brandy Cliff and 22-year-old Madison Hatcher both were arrested. Cliff faces charges of aggravated prostitution promotion; whereas Hatcher's up against assault charges.

This trafficking ring furthermore occurred right under the noses of community members. After Dallas police made the arrests, community members expressed shock that something like this happened without their knowledge.

The owner of the rental home was determined by law enforcement to have no involvement in the human trafficking ring. However, the investigation remains afoot. Therefore, many more details may come out as law enforcement does its job.

Important information about human trafficking

Human trafficking does not always entail strangers forcefully kidnapping unsuspecting young women or children. In many cases, traffickers employ coercion, force, and fraud in order to sell another individual.

Traffickers likewise use social media, video games, chatrooms, and other online forums to find their victims. Ultimately, these predators look for weaknesses in individuals they can later exploit.

As sad and shocking as this is, traffickers often pose as the friends, romantic partners, and mentors of those they seek to victimize. In other cases, some people undergo trafficking at the hands of their own relatives.

Anyone who wishes to report what they believe to be human trafficking can contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline via phone at 1 (888) 373-7888 or by text at 233733.