FIFE, WASHINGTON — Nearly a dozen individuals were arrested during an overnight multi-agency operation targeting prostitution and human trafficking at truck stops across western Washington, according to the Washington State Patrol.

“Operation Human Freight” was conducted on the evening of November 25, 2025, after WSP’s Commercial Vehicle Division observed concerning activity near truck stops in Pierce, King, and Snohomish Counties. Detectives established an undercover base of operations at a truck stop in northern Pierce County along the I-5 corridor.

According to WSP, officers contacted eleven women, all identified as victims of prostitution and/or human trafficking. A 41-year-old Tacoma man with 19 prior felony convictions was arrested and booked into the Pierce County Jail on charges of human trafficking and promoting prostitution.

Additional arrests were made during the eight-hour operation for:
• Trafficking in the 2nd degree
• Promoting prostitution in the 1st degree
• Promoting prostitution in the 2nd degree
• Driving under the influence

WSP said the priority of the operation was both enforcement and victim support. Advocates from Rebuilding Hope, the FBI, and other agencies were on scene to provide resources and assistance to identified victims.

Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste emphasized the importance of the effort: “This operation demonstrates our determination to hold traffickers accountable and safeguard vulnerable members of our community. We will continue to work closely with our local, state, and federal partners to disrupt these criminal networks.”

Participating agencies included:
• Washington State Patrol
• Fife Police Department
• Tacoma Police Department
• Lakewood Police Department
• Puyallup Police Department
• Seattle Police Department
• FBI
• Homeland Security Investigations
• Pierce County Prosecutor’s Office
• Rebuilding Hope

The investigation into the trafficking network remains ongoing.

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