On June 27, a Navajo County Sheriff’s Criminal Interdiction Unit conducted a traffic stop on Interstate 40 at milepost 293 in the Sun Valley area. During the traffic stop and subsequent investigation, it was learned that the driver of the vehicle, Exon Conrrado Nunez Rodrigues, 27, of Honduras, was traveling with three adults and a 14-year-old boy, none were related or known to each other and none were in the United States legally.
Deputies at the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office, specifically the deputies assigned to the Criminal Interdiction Unit, have received substantial training on recognizing and detecting signs of human trafficking. The deputy assessed the situation and Rodrigues was arrested for participating in a human smuggling organization or operation and booked into the Navajo County Jail. He is currently being held on an immigration hold.
There is no specific age, race, or gender that is targeted for human trafficking. Every year, millions of men, women, and children are trafficked worldwide, including here in Arizona.
