IRON MOUNTAIN — Seven people were arrested as the Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office, along with law enforcement partners from across the Upper Peninsula, conducted a three-day human trafficking operation targeting individuals involved in the sexual exploitation of children and vulnerable adults, authorities said.

Details are being withheld until the suspects are arraigned in 95B District Court.

Participating agencies included the Kingsford Public Safety Department, Iron Mountain Police Department, Chippewa County Sheriff’s Office, Marquette County Sheriff’s Office, Menominee County Sheriff’s Office, Niagara Police Department, and Homeland Security Investigations, which operates under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Throughout the operation, investigators utilized a range of investigative strategies to identify offenders and potential victims, Dickinson County Sheriff Aaron Rochon said Monday in a news release.

To maintain the integrity of ongoing cases and future operations, specific investigative methods are not being disclosed at this time, Rochon said. One of the individuals taken into custody was found to have outstanding warrants through Shelby Township for similar offenses.

The operation was supported by investigative journalist Chris Hansen and his TruBlu film crew, who documented portions of the effort to raise public awareness of human trafficking and online exploitation.

The Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office reminds the public that human trafficking and child exploitation are not confined to big cities. Traffickers and predators often use everyday online platforms, messaging apps, and social media to reach their victims.

Parents and guardians are encouraged to:

— Stay engaged in their children’s online lives, including social media, gaming, and messaging platforms;

— Discuss online safety and the risks of communicating or sharing information with strangers;

— Be alert for sudden changes in behavior, secrecy, or new unexplained relationships; and

— Report suspicious activity immediately to local law enforcement or the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or by texting “HELP” to 233733.

“Community awareness and parental involvement are some of the strongest tools we have to prevent exploitation,” Rochon said. “If something doesn’t seem right, speak up — you could be the one to stop a tragedy before it happens.”

Rochon extended his appreciation to the partnering agencies and to Chris Hansen and the TruBlu team for their cooperation. “Their coverage aims to highlight both the dangers facing potential victims and the proactive work being done by law enforcement across the region,” Rochon said.