19 people found inside southwest Houston apartment in possible human trafficking operation, police confirm

HOUSTON – Houston Police are investigating after 19 people were found in a one-bedroom apartment in southwest Houston on Wednesday afternoon.

HPD responded to reports of a possible human smuggling operation at an apartment complex in Block 6400 of South Gessner at around 12:00 p.m.

When officers arrived, they found 19 men and women, including an unaccompanied minor aged 13 to 16, living inside the one-bedroom apartment.

Officers said the apartment was unfurnished and those inside were living in “appalling conditions”.

“No one seemed to need immediate medical attention and no one immediately claimed injuries, but as we know from dealing with these situations, people in this position don’t always immediately raise an uproar. So we also brought our victim services division to the scene to see what they could do to help these people, ”said HPD Asst. Chief Michael Skillern.

A d

According to HPD, the apartment had only been rented for two weeks before it was reported.

No arrests were made, police said.

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is working with the Houston Police Department to investigate the possible human trafficking operation.

WATCH: Full HPD press conference on 19 people found living in “appalling conditions” at apartment complex in southwest Houston