Truth about viral ‘human trafficking’ clip in the US

A man was branded a hero for seemingly saving a group of people being trafficked across the US. Police have given another explanation.

A series of videos purporting to show police busting a human trafficker with several people in the back of a truck has been debunked by authorities, who’ve given a curious explanation.

Langston Proper shared the clips taken while driving behind the rental truck in the US city of Atlanta, showing an arm sticking out from the vehicle’s roller door.

Mr Proper followed the truck for about 30 miles (48km) and called the police before capturing the moment the door was opened, with a group of people seen huddling inside.

“I never would’ve thought I actually would have seen this right in front of my eyes and not just in movies or hear about it word of mouth,” he wrote.

“My ancestors and GOD said don’t stop, give in or give up. Stay with them, we will guide you and protect you along the way!”

Langston Proper followed this truck for 30 miles.

Mr Proper was alarmed by the emergence of an arm.

It appeared women and children were crammed inside with a large amount of other items such as cushions and several full black garbage bags.

Mr Proper had been hailed as a hero online after the posts went viral across Facebook and X for his pursuit of the truck.

One of the clips also appeared to show a man in handcuffs after officers swarmed the scene.

But local police department have since revealed in a statement that the only crime alleged to have been committed was the driver allowing his passengers to travel without a seatbelt.

The Gwinnett Police Department said it had gathered “no evidence” of human trafficking, saying the people discovered in the back were hitching a ride for a “job opportunity”.

The reveal.

It appeared a man was in handcuffs.

“The back of the van had two families (eight people total including two juveniles). They were not tied up or in distress. They appeared healthy and agreed to speak with the officers,” the department said.

“The occupants all told officers that they were travelling from Alabama to Maryland for a new job opportunity. The truck also included their personal belongings.

“The driver of the truck was cited for allowing the occupants to ride in the back of the truck without a seatbelt. The occupants were taken to a local business by officers and dropped off so that they could find an alternate way to get to Maryland. There is no evidence at this time of human trafficking.”

Atlanta, Georgia has been identified by the US Department of Justice as a ground hub for human trafficking operations.

It is among the top 14 cities with the highest rates for the sex trafficking of children, with 129 victims rescued in the state of Georgia last year.