24 Arrested in Manitowoc; Trafficking Links Questioned

ICE and partner agencies arrested 24 people in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin, in a joint operation they described as targeting a transnational human- and drug-trafficking ring. ICE publicly identified six suspects by name but has released limited evidence tying the arrestees to the alleged network. Local reporters and advocates said many of those arrested were dairy workers and questioned the trafficking allegations. The FBI initially reported 21 arrests and said nine were suspected in child-sex or trafficking cases, but ICE corrected the total to 24 and said only one arrestee had a known sexual-assault history. ICE has not provided full details on the status or holding locations of all detainees. The arrests occurred amid a broader surge in federal immigration enforcement, including Operation Midway Blitz in the Chicago area.