Today the Southwest Florida Inter-Agency Child Exploitation and Persons Trafficking Task Force known as INTERCEPT, announced Operation Cybertip Surge. This is a multi-jurisdiction operation that has spanned weeks, utilizing tips to stop human trafficking and sexual exploitation.
This operation resulted in:
• The arrest of 2 individuals who were actively exploiting children
• The identification of 22 child victims of exploitation
• The seizure of 67 electronic devices
In 2025 alone, the INTERCEPT Task Force has reviewed 98 million electronic files. Since the inception of INTERCEPT, less than two years ago, the task force has:
• Conducted 2,700 investigations
• Arrested 95 offenders
• Identified and safeguarded 177 victims
• Seized nearly half a million electronic files depicting the sexual abuse of minors
INTERCEPT is a unique partnership that brings together federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, allowing a multi-agency response, to rescue victims of human trafficking and sexual exploitation as well to locate, arrest, and prosecute the criminals responsible.
“As State Attorney, I swear in members of the task force to give them cross designation to work across county lines as these cases often involve multiple jurisdictions. The State Attorney’s Office then provides the legal support and guidance needed for the operations and follow-up required after arrests. We thank Operation Light Shine for providing funding that makes INTERCEPT’s work possible,” said State Attorney Amira Fox.
The INTERCEPT Task Force includes Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida, State Attorney’s Office 20th Judicial Circuit, Collier County Sheriff’s Office, Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Hendry County Sheriff’s Office, Naples Police Department, Marco Island Police Department, Cape Coral Police Department, Fort Myers Police Department, Lee County Port Authority Police, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the U.S. Department of Justice South Florida Internet Crimes Against Children, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Samantha Syoen -State Attorney’s Office Communications Director