New Jersey's attorney general has created a new unit to expand the state's work on combating human trafficking. Attorney General Jeffrey Chiesa on Thursday announced the formation of a team within New Jersey's Division of Criminal Justice that will focus on sex- and labor-related human trafficking.

Jeff Chiesa
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Chiesa also issued a directive for the training of law enforcement officials statewide in detecting, investigating and prosecuting such cases, or recognizing the signs of trafficking within the course of other investigations.

Chiesa, who focused on the issue as a former federal prosecutor, says trafficking is prevalent in New Jersey because of the state's location and the diversity of the population.

He says the new unit will work with local, state and federal partners on long-term investigations into the practice.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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