When I (and many other people) think of human trafficking ringleaders, I envision a ruthless, ugly, man. After reading this article I realize that evil comes in all shapes and forms. And yes, even gender.
Maribel Rodriguez is accused of bringing 12 women, 3 of them minors, to America and using them as street prostitutes to pay off their smuggling fee. Their story is like all the other stories I’ve read. One person lures peope with the promise of starting over in a new country–usually the American dream–but before they can do that, they have to pay off their fee with their bodies.
Maribel Rodriguez is on the FBI’s wanted list and the FBI says,”The reason you want someone on the most wanted list is to get their name out to the public and have the public help in their capture.” The FBI is looking for the residence of the LA area to help them out and is offering a $10,000 reward.
Although this looks like a usual trafficking incident, there’s a little twist.
To keep the police and FBI off her trail, Rodriguez regularly would take the girls to local botanicas.
“She felt that going to individuals that practiced sanataria or witchcraft would help cleanse herself and cleanse her victims,” Loosie said.
The FBI also believes she had the so-called witches on her pay roll. After reading the smuggled girls tarot cards, Maribel would find out which girls were planning escape.
Interesting.
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