MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – A human trafficking operation in Miami Beach resulted in the arrests of two people accused of recruiting and exploiting a young undocumented woman for prostitution, authorities confirmed Friday.
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Miami Beach police said Carleana Paola Garcia-Garcia, 24, and Carlos Medina Puche, 23, were taken into custody Wednesday following an undercover investigation targeting individuals trafficking others or profiting from prostitution.
According to police, undercover detectives identified an online advertisement for prostitution on Listcrawler.com, a website often used for sex work-related listings.
Police said the ad featured a Hispanic woman and a contact number, which an undercover officer used to arrange a meeting.
The woman, who police identified as a victim of human trafficking, agreed to an outcall and quoted a rate of $300, using rose emojis —common slang for dollar amounts in illicit transactions, according to the report.
During their text exchange, the woman asked the undercover officer if he was law enforcement, inquired about condom use, and eventually sent a message reading, “Love arrives,” signaling her arrival, police wrote.
A short time later, police said they observed a silver Toyota Corolla drop the woman off at the Julia Hotel, located at 336 Collins Ave.
Authorities said shortly after, the woman approached the undercover officer, kissed him on the cheek, and confirmed that she provided “full service.” Once inside the building, detectives moved in and took her into custody, according to investigators.
Detectives said the woman initially resisted arrest, appearing fearful, but later agreed to speak with officers after learning they were human trafficking investigators. She revealed that the individuals who dropped her off knew she was engaging in prostitution and that the driver was set to receive half of the money she made, the report stated.
Meanwhile, another team of investigators stopped the Toyota Corolla a short distance away.
The driver, Medina Puche, handed officers a Venezuelan driver’s license but hesitated when asked to state his birthdate, only recalling it after checking his phone, according to police.
Police said a records check revealed he had an active bench warrant for driving without a license and additional warrants for aggravated battery and battery on a law enforcement officer.
Back at the station, police said detectives conducted interviews with the young woman, who disclosed that Garcia-Garcia had recruited her from Venezuela.
The victim stated that she initially lived with an aunt near Orlando but was persuaded by Garcia-Garcia to join her in Fort Myers for work, according to the report. The victim was aware she would be engaging in prostitution but claimed she was manipulated into doing so under false pretenses, police said.
After struggling to make money in Fort Myers, the group relocated to Miami, where police said they shared a small rental unit.
They said the victim told officers that she was required to pay $500 upfront for her share of the rent. She also stated that Medina Puche provided her with a phone for business purposes and that Garcia-Garcia took her photos and managed her online advertisements.
According to police, Medina Puche determined the victim’s pricing, which ranged from $200 to $300 per session. He would inform her of the duration of each encounter and would collect half of the money immediately after each transaction, investigators said.
Police said the victim told police she feared Medina Puche and believed Garcia-Garcia deliberately recruited her because of her connection to her family.
She claimed that Medina Puche had previously been violent toward Garcia-Garcia and suspected he would harm her if she disobeyed, according to the report. Additionally, the victim said if she ever stopped working for them, the pair would retaliate against her family in Venezuela, the report stated.
While processing evidence at the station, police said officers discovered a bag containing a pink powdery substance believed to be the synthetic drug 2C.
Police said the victim also stated that Medina Puche had given it to her in case a client requested it, adding that she never received any of the proceeds from its sale.
Police did not disclose the victim’s age in the arrest report.
Jail records show Garcia-Garcia and Medina Puche are both charged with human trafficking for coercing a commercial sex act involving an unauthorized immigrant. Medina Puche faces additional charges, including deriving support from the proceeds of prostitution, unlawful use of a communication device, aiding or abetting prostitution, directing another to a place of prostitution, and driving without a valid license.
As of Friday, both suspects remained at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. Medina Puche is being held without bond, while Garcia-Garcia’s bond was listed as “to be set.”
