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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
World
Guardian staff and agencies

Trafficking victims endured ‘horrible conditions’ in US illegal drug operation

In this photo released by the Merced county sheriff's office is the scene where deputies located multiple people processing finished marijuana product in Merced, California.
In this photo released by the Merced county sheriff's office is the scene where deputies located multiple people processing finished marijuana product in Merced, California. Photograph: AP

Dozens of human trafficking victims were forced to work on an illegal marijuana operation while living in “horrible conditions”, California authorities said.

The Merced county sheriff’s office in the state’s Central valley this week found 60 people, including men, women and at least one child, at an operation. The group arrived several days earlier and was promised good-paying jobs and a place to stay, law enforcement said in a statement.

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