State Police Forms New Unit To Combat Human Trafficking

BOSTON (CBS) --  State officials announced a new unit under the Massachusetts State Police that will investigate human trafficking cases involving juveniles.

In a press conference Tuesday, Lt. Governor Karyn Polito introduced the formation of the Human Trafficking Unit.  Polito also the unit will work with the Department of Children and Families (DCF) and  local police department on larger cases.

Human trafficking is now a reportable condition to the DCF, regardless of whether the perpetrator is the caregiver, Polito said.

The communication between the two agencies is part of the state's critical reforms to the DCF.

"The buying and selling of human lives is an abhorrent practice that is still taking place in Massachusetts, and we owe it to those who find themselves unwilling participants in it to take steps to stop it," Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker said.