This L.A. neighborhood a haven for human trafficking, officials say [Video]

Los Angeles city and county leaders, along with federal officials, briefed the public Wednesday on actions being taken on a three-and-a-half-mile stretch of road that authorities say is ground zero for human trafficking.

At the downtown press conference, officials detailed their collective crackdown on the illegal activity on a three-and-a-half mile stretch of South Figueroa Street, from Gage Avenue to the 110 Freeway, where authorities found at least one victim as young as 11 years old.

“What we see along the Figueroa corridor is a human rights tragedy playing out each and every night,” United States Attorney Martin Estrada said. “These sex traffickers will recruit victims from foster care, from group homes – recruiting them and grooming them – to then engage in prostitution.”

L.A. Mayor Karen Bass remarked on just how young many of the victims are.

“What is common is 12 years old,” she said. “That is the …