Why expert says Wilmington is hot spot for human trafficking

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Experts say human trafficking is one of the fastest spreading crimes in the world. On Wednesday law enforcement officers around New Hanover County learned how they can stop it from happening right under their nose.

An expert says that North Carolina consistently ranks in the top 10 states for human trafficking. It’s an illegal industry you cannot always see in plain sight, but one that grows by the minute.

“Human trafficking is the second-largest criminal enterprise in the world it’s a fast-growing problem. North Carolina in particular usually ranks within the top 10 state for human trafficking, Wilmington being one of the hot spots within North Carolina.

Wilmington ranks in the top four cities in North Carolina for human trafficking. Bill Woolf explains that this is due largely in part to the tourism, the access to I-95 and its stable economy.

Wilmington Police spokeswoman Linda Thompson says once someone falls into the trap, it’s hard to get out.

“It is not uncommon for our officers to come into contact with someone who may be involved in a human trafficking ring for prostitution, and young ladies or school-age girls who have been lured away from home at the promise of money, or freedom, or love,” said Thompson.

Thompson says they see a lot of it right along Market Street at many surrounding hotels.

That’s why WPD, The New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office and the DA’s office went through training to learn how to spot the warning signs.

“We’re teaching officers today what the dynamics look like between a trafficker and a victim. So how to identify when they arrive on scene and they’re speaking to a potential victim, how the trafficker might respond to that, or how they might respond to law enforcement,” said Woolf.

Woolf says it can happen to anyone. The goal of the training is to stop it as soon as possible.

Before Just Ask Prevention, Woolf was a detective. Throughout his time in law enforcement, he was able to help in the rescue of more than 100 human trafficking victims.