COLLEGEDALE, Tenn. — Two men were arrested as part of a “targeted human trafficking operation” conducted by the Collegedale Police Department. According to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), Alvaz Kaukab of Chattanooga was charged with one count of Solicitation of a Minor and one felony count of possession of a hallucinogenic drug. Justin Long, a resident of Chatsworth, Georgia, was charged with two counts of Solicitation of a Minor and one count of Patronizing Prostitution.
Both men were booked into the Hamilton County Jail on Thursday.
The Collegedale Police Department, in partnership with special agents, used advanced investigative techniques to locate and apprehend the suspects. The operation not only focused on arresting perpetrators but also aimed to identify potential victims of human trafficking.
Collegedale Police Chief Jack Sapp emphasized that the department will not tolerate individuals attempting to exploit minors through human trafficking. The Community Coalition Against Human Trafficking has offered support services to the victims involved.
The TBI and Collegedale Police encourage the public to report any suspicious activities related to human trafficking to help protect vulnerable individuals.
