Super Bowl Sex Trafficking Stings Net Dozens of Arrests and Recovered Victims

Authorities recovered 73 victims and arrested 29 people across the Bay Area during heightened human trafficking investigations.

Feb. 27, 2026 at 7:15am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Authorities in the Bay Area conducted heightened human trafficking investigations in the two weeks leading up to the Super Bowl, resulting in the arrest of 29 people and the recovery of 73 victims, including a 12-year-old in Oakland. The operations, coordinated through a command center in Sunnyvale, involved collaboration between multiple agencies and aimed to address the increased demand for sex trafficking around major events.

Why it matters

Human trafficking is a persistent issue that often intensifies around high-profile events like the Super Bowl, which can draw increased demand for commercial sex. The Bay Area's coordinated response highlights the importance of collaboration between law enforcement and advocacy groups in identifying and recovering victims, as well as the need for ongoing efforts to combat trafficking beyond just major events.

The details

For the two weeks before the Super Bowl, the Human Trafficking Task Force set up a command center in Sunnyvale that included 20 analysts from various agencies. They responded to tips and coordinated with agents from Monterey to Sacramento to make arrests. Advocates say these types of operations, which often take weeks, were able to be completed in minutes due to the enhanced coordination and resources.

  • The heightened human trafficking investigations took place in the two weeks leading up to the Super Bowl on February 8, 2026.
  • The Human Trafficking Task Force set up a command center in Sunnyvale in the weeks before the Super Bowl.

The players

Cheryl Csiky

The executive director of advocacy group In Our Backyard.

Sharan Dhanoa

The director of the South Bay Coalition to End Human Trafficking.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We are literally looking for that one 12-year-old or that one child or one adult whose voice isn't heard.”

— Cheryl Csiky, Executive Director, In Our Backyard

“Human trafficking happens every single day. The hope is that we can kind of replicate that in the future and not have it just be dependent on a sporting event.”

— Sharan Dhanoa, Director, South Bay Coalition to End Human Trafficking

What’s next

Bay Area authorities intend to focus similar anti-trafficking efforts ahead of World Cup games at Levi's Stadium this summer.

The takeaway

The Bay Area's coordinated response to human trafficking around the Super Bowl highlights the importance of collaboration between law enforcement and advocacy groups, as well as the need for ongoing efforts to combat this persistent issue beyond just major events.