Law enforcement agencies teamed up to arrest suspected drug dealers and human traffickers in Beaver County hotels, according to Beaver County District Attorney David Lozier.
The district attorney’s office, Center Township Police Department, the FBI Human Trafficking Task Force and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police conducted the sweep at numerous Center Township hotels Friday and Saturday.
There are 16 arrests pending, but officials have not identified the suspects.
“You may be assured that law enforcement agencies at all levels are at work every day to hold the dealers poisoning our children and neighbors accountable under the law,” Lozier said in a statement.
Several potential victims of human trafficking were identified and referred to support services.
“The trauma caused by traffickers to their victims is inexcusable,” FBI Pittsburgh special agent Michael Christman said in a statement. “We are proud to team up with our state and local partners and the Beaver County District Attorney to help make our communities safer and get these victims the help they need.”
Center Township Police Chief Barry Kramer said crime in hotels is common, and called for Pennsylvania to allow hotel taxes to fund law enforcement. These taxes are currently earmarked for the tourism industry, he said.
“Funding and resources have been very limited to address these challenges due to taxes paid by the hotels going to the Beaver County Tourism Department,” he said in a statement.
