Md. operation targets drugs, human trafficking at hotels

Police arrested 35 people and seized more than $500,000 in narcotics in a six-month operation targeting hotels, the latest regional effort aimed at curbing human and drug trafficking. Anne Arundel County police said detectives working on the initiative, called Operation Safe Stay, also educated hotel and motel management on how to recognize illegal activity and work with police.

The investigation lasted from June 1 through Nov. 30, police said Thursday. During that time, police conducted 12 prostitution and human-trafficking operations at 14 hotels and motels in the county.