A significant rise in human trafficking cases in North Carolina, which ranks ninth in the U.S. for such crimes, has raised alarms among experts and parents, with 301 cases reported in 2024 involving 580 victims. Factors contributing to this surge include the state’s extensive highway system, high agricultural labor demand, and gang activity, notably by groups like the Bloods. Alarmingly, 48% of trafficking victims are minors aged 15 or younger, with a 76% increase in minor cases from 2020 to 2024. Local organizations are working to combat this crisis, emphasizing the varied backgrounds of victims and the need for awareness and intervention.
