Minneapolis is among six cities selected to get new federally backed coordinating teams aimed at improving criminal investigations and prosecutions of human trafficking.

"Human trafficking is a modern-day form of slavery that destroys lives and exploits the most vulnerable in our society," said FBI Director James Comey.

Other cities to get the teams are Cleveland; Newark, N.J.; Portland, Maine; Portland, Ore., and Sacramento, Calif. The teams will report to the local U.S. attorney and the top-ranked federal investigative agents in the regional field offices of the FBI, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Department of Labor.

In the first communities to use these teams, authorities boosted prosecution of forced labor, international sex trafficking and adult sex trafficking.

STAFF REPORT