The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) announced that it has created a new Human Exploitation and Trafficking (HEAT) unit.
The announcement was made at the State Capitol by Vic Reynolds, director of the GBI. He was joined by Gov. Brian Kemp and his wife, Marty; Chris Carr, attorney general; and Jay Neal, executive director of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC).
“As a proud co-chair of the First Lady’s GRACE Commission, I am pleased to announce the GBI standing up a brand new work unit to combat the evil plague of human trafficking,” Reynolds said. “The exploitation and trafficking of persons is a problem that affects all areas of the state and all walks of life.
“The problem is so serious that at times, victims don’t even realize they are victims,” he added. “With a concentrated effort on identifying traffickers and victims, we strive to make Georgia a safer place to live for all.”
Reynolds said the HEAT Unit will focus on the enforcement efforts of commercial sex trafficking and labor trafficking as well as the rescue of adult trafficking victims. It will be led by a special agent in charge and an assistant special agent in charge; additionally, the unit will be staffed with four special agents.
Based out of GBI headquarters in Atlanta, the new unit will initially consist of six special agents. Two of those positions are funded by grants provided by the CJCC. Also, the GBI plans on pairing members of its existing financial investigation unit with HEAT.
“I am proud of the work that the Georgia Bureau of Investigation has done in the fight against human trafficking,” Kemp said. “With this new HEAT Unit, (Reynolds) will have the resources he needs to crack down on this criminal enterprise and ensure that perpetrators are held accountable.
“By coordinating our efforts with the First Lady’s GRACE Commission, Attorney General Chris Carr, and our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, Georgia is making huge strides in combating this evil industry.”
Said Neal about the announcement, “By continuing to innovate and tackle this issue in victim-centered, multidisciplinary, and collaborative ways, Georgia is continuing to show survivors that Georgia stands with them and will continue to provide the resources needed to combat human trafficking – until that war is won and human traffickers no longer call Georgia home.”