Salinas PD & Homeland Security investigates human trafficking and gang crime

The Salinas Police Department is working with Homeland Security agents to investigate human trafficking and gang crime in the city.

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), has dedicated an agent working with SPD’s Violence Suppression Unit. HSI is a component of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, but Salinas officials said they are not working with immigration officers.

“Cases worked collaboratively are initiated based only on the crimes being committed, not someone’s immigration status,” said city officials.

HSI will help Salinas PD investigate crimes like:

Financial crimes, money laundering and bulk cash smuggling Commercial fraud and intellectual property theft Cybercrimes and online child predators Human rights violations Human smuggling and trafficking Document and benefit fraud Narcotics and weapons smuggling/trafficking Transitional gang activity

“We’re glad to have the expert assistance of HSI, especially in protecting our residents from the horrible practice of human trafficking, which we’ve seen more of lately,” said Salinas Police Chief Adele Frese. “We also know that if residents see federal agents working with us, they may be worried it’s immigration enforcement, and I want to emphasize that it is not. Our city is safer when everyone feels secure in reporting crime to us.”

We asked the Special Agent in Charge what would happen if an investigation led to speaking with witnesses or victims who are undocumented.

“When we do encounter undocumented immigrants in the course of a criminal investigation, it is certainly on a case by case basis, we make determinations and those determinations are always based on the criminal investigation and whether that individual poses a public safety or national security risk,” said Ryan Spradlin.

KION’s Matt Sizemore will have more at 5 and 6 p.m.