Five men were arrested after they tried to solicit prostitution from undercover officers, the Escondido Police announced Wednesday.
During the operation, the suspects approached the undercover personnel and arrangement to pay for sex acts, investigators say.
When they arrived at an arranged location, the men were arrested by officers. The suspects booked into jail on suspicion of prostitution include Sergio Martinez, 30; Jose Sotelo-Sotelo, 40; Clifford Helbock, 71; Alberto Ibanez, 42; and Joel Taylor, 49.
Escondido Police say they are stepping up efforts to crack down on crimes that are encompassed in human trafficking, which often includes prostitution.
The illicit activity mostly includes women who have been coerced or forced into it by drug use or physical beatings, according to police. Prostitution is often a product of criminal gangs or organized crime.
