It was the highest number of arrests for this crime in a single day, the Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.

H/T: News & Observer

The sting was conducted at a hotel in Durham County and netted 18 charges for solicitation of prostitution. In addition, investigators seized over 8.5 grams of methamphetamine, along with drug paraphernalia and cash, in the human trafficking demand reduction operation.

“Experts say massage parlors where labor and sex trafficking occur are operating in plain sight in North Carolina and across the U.S. They're in strip malls, near police stations and schools, and present unique challenges to law enforcement,” according to the News & Observer.

“Sex trade workers are often victims of human trafficking,” Durham County Public Information Officer AnnMarie Breen said Friday in a news release. “In an effort to deter traffickers, DCSO and the (State Bureau of Investigation) targeted the demand side of this crime. In doing this we hope to lower the chances of women being exploited.”