Human Trafficking Victims From Spain Worked In Saratoga Businesses; 3 Suspects Arrested
SAN JOSE (CBS SF) -- A months-long investigation into an alleged human trafficking case in San Jose and Saratoga led to three arrests Tuesday, a sheriff's spokesman said.
San Jose residents Pedro Barea-Riva, 44, Esther Narbona-Sanchez, 44, and Paulino O'Farrill, 47, were arrested on suspicion of human trafficking, sheriff's Sgt. James Jensen said Wednesday.
On Tuesday, a human trafficking task force served search warrants at a San Jose home and at TapaOle restaurant and Utopik Salon, both in Saratoga, Jensen said.
The three suspects were arrested and booked into county jail, he said.
The task force started their investigation in July after receiving reports of human trafficking victims brought to the country from Spain, according to Jensen.
While executing the warrants Tuesday, investigators were able to rescue three human trafficking victims and three wage theft victims, who were all adults and taken out of the businesses, Jensen said.
The victims received assistance from the nonprofit South Bay Coalition to End Human Trafficking, which provides counseling, emergency shelter, and other support services, according to Jensen.
O'Farrill is listed as the owner of the restaurant, according to county fictitious business name records.
The task force is comprised of investigators from the sheriff's and district attorney's offices and the FBI.
Anyone with information on the case is asked to contact the task force at (408) 918-4960 or humantrafficking@sheriff.sccgov.org.
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