Posted at: 07/02/2009 7:04 PM
By: Stuart Dyson, Eyewitness News 4; Charlie Pabst, KOB.com

Officials target human trafficking

New Mexico police and prosecutors ramp up the fight to stamp out the crime of human trafficking. The law has been on the books for one year�cops and D.A.s and judges know it well. Now, it�s the public�s turn to learn what human trafficking is all about.

It�s slavery, not just human smuggling, like coyotes herding illegal immigrants across the border. It�s what happens after they get here.

Attorney General Gary King said Thursday, "They might have signs of physical abuse - bruises or something like that - by and large they just don't want to have very much interaction with anybody because they've been threatened: If you talk to the police or you talk to somebody else about this we're gonna kill you or we're gonna kill your family."

Once illegal immigrants are brought across the border, the terms of the safe passage change, prosecutors say.

"They get brought here maybe on some false pretext that they're gonna get a job in America - they'll have the American Dream - and when they get here they say well you gotta make $60,000 for me before I'm gonna let you go on your own."

They�re forced to work, usually menial labor or prostitution, and they don�t go to the cops.

Human trafficking is a felony in New Mexico�first degree if the victim is a kid.

The state is launching a public awareness campaign including radio public service ads and printed bilingual material.

Hear more from Attorney General King on Sunday afternoon at 4 on Eye on New Mexico.