Visalia Mother, Father & Son Amongst Suspects Busted During Human Trafficking Investigation
Photo: Armando Torres (l) and Amparo Torres
Originally published as a Tulare County Sheriff’s Office Facebook post –
“On June 3, 2022, the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office Human Trafficking Unit wrapped up a six-month long Human Trafficking investigation. During that investigation, Detectives also discovered a drug trafficking organization. Their investigation revealed the same suspects involved in the trafficking ring were also operating a large-scale marijuana operation at several locations, which Detectives believe had been financing the Human Trafficking operation.
In May, TCSO Detectives, with help from Visalia Police, arrested 13 people believed to be involved with the drug trafficking organization. They also seized 3,762 marijuana plants, 268 pounds of processed marijuana, 615 pounds of semi-processed marijuana, eight firearms, 5 grams of cocaine and 10 pounds of concentrated cannabis.
After the arrests, several more victims came forward to report they had also been assaulted, raped and Human Trafficked by the same suspects.
This past weekend, Detectives arrested 22-year-old Oswald Lopez of Farmersville, 43-year-old Armando Torres of Visalia, 45-year-old Amparo Torres of Visalia and 18-year-old Armando Torres Jr., the son of Armando and Amparo.
The Sheriff Department is currently asking for the public’s help in finding 27-year-old Cristian Torres and 43-year-old Juventino Torres, both of Visalia.
This investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Detective Janae Pinheiro or Sergeant Jessica Vieyra with the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office Human Trafficking Unit at (559) 733-6218, or send anonymous information by sending a text or email to TCSO@tipnow.com or call 1-800-TIPNOW.”
