21 arrests made in Orlando heroin, prostitution ring

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) – Police officers in central Florida say they’ve rescued eight women from a prostitution trafficking ring, including a 17-year-old girl.

Attorney General Pam Bondi said Monday in Orlando that a consortium of agencies had arrested 21 suspects last week. The suspects face human trafficking, drug trafficking and racketeering charges.

Last week’s arrests were the culmination of a two-year investigation by the Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation.

The ring was run by four principal suspects. One of them is still at large.

Officials said the eight women were charged with various sex crimes but many of them could have the charges dropped as the investigation proceeds.

Officials said the women are receiving counseling and drug treatment since heroin was used to coerce them into prostitution.