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Ahead Of Pro Bowl, Florida Attorney General Warns About Human Trafficking

Orlando Police Chief Orlando Rolón, Attorney General Ashley Moody, Orange County Sheriff John Mina and Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma (L to R) speak at a press conference Tuesday, Jan. 21 discussing anti-human trafficking efforts ahead of the Pro Bowl this weekend. Photo: Rachel Smith/WMFE
Orlando Police Chief Orlando Rolón, Attorney General Ashley Moody, Orange County Sheriff John Mina and Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma (L to R) speak at a press conference Tuesday, Jan. 21 discussing anti-human trafficking efforts ahead of the Pro Bowl this weekend. Photo: Rachel Smith/WMFE

Attorney General Ashley Moody warned Central Florida may see an increase in human trafficking this weekend. Orlando is hosting the NFL’s Pro Bowl game Sunday at Camping World Stadium.

Tens of thousands of people are expected to visit Central Florida. Moody called on local communities to stay vigilant - looking for signs of human trafficking activities.

“We fully expect for traffickers to use the interstates, the main arteries to come into Florida,” Moody said. “So we are trying to alert convenience stores and others along the routes to be on the lookout.”

Following the NFL Pro Bowl, the Super Bowl is coming to Miami on Feb. 2.

Moody said large sporting events bring an increase in trafficking activity. With two major sporting events, Moody said she expects an uptick in cases.

“This is the first time,” she said, “in a very, very long time where both the Pro Bowl and the Super Bowl will be held in the same state.”

Last year at the Super Bowl in Atlanta, over 160 arrests were made related to human trafficking.

Despite the increased risk, Moody said Florida law enforcement is prepared.

Moody partnered with the Florida Trucking Association last year to train drivers how to spot human trafficking.

Florida is ranked third in the nation in calls to the National Human Trafficking Hotline.

Moody emphasized that human trafficking is not limited to football games. She said other upcoming events such as WrestleMania will also be magnets for human traffickers.

To report signs of human trafficking, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.