A total of 13 men were arrested on suspicion of soliciting prostitution during an operation conducted by the Murrieta Police Department, officials said.
The operation was conducted Wednesday in collaboration with the Riverside County Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force.
According to the police department, the focus of the operation was to rescue victims of sexual slavery and human trafficking, identify and arrest their captors and disrupt demand for victims.
A total of 13 men were arrested, the youngest being 20 years old and the oldest 59. Authorities said they were all released on $2,500 bail on a misdemeanor charge of disorderly conduct.
“Through proactive enforcement operations, RCAHT and the Murrieta Police Department are working hard to reduce future demand for sex trafficking by identifying and arresting sex buyers, identifying human trafficking victims, and providing valuable outreach and diversion services to them,” the police department said.