Epstein and the $236 billion dollar crime

March 19, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

For decades, the global fight against human trafficking has been dramatically under-resourced, with G20 countries spending roughly $1.6 billion annually on a crime that generates an estimated $236 billion in criminal profits each year. Kevin Hyland, former London police detective and CEO of Preventy Global, argues that governments have failed to treat human trafficking with the seriousness they apply to drug trafficking or terrorism, and that faith communities have often been more effective than law enforcement in responding to the crisis—a gap he believes can be closed with political will and proper investment.

What human trafficking actually is

Hyland clarifies a common confusion: human trafficking is not smuggling. Smuggling involves crossing a border voluntarily; trafficking is about exploitation, and it does not require crossing any border at all. Many victims in the United States are U.S. nationals, often young girls trafficked for sexual exploitation—sometimes by their own families, driven by poverty, drug misuse, or mental health issues. Globally, about 80% of trafficking involves forced labor or forced criminality, and only about 20% is sex trafficking. One in four victims is a child. Hyland also highlights a newer form: people kidnapped and held in warehouses in Southeast Asia, forced to commit online frauds targeting elderly people in the U.S. and U.K. The vict

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What you'll learn

1 (00:57) **Epstein as a Catalyst for a Broader Conversation** - Kevin Hyland argues the Epstein case reveals a systemic power imbalance where money and authority are used to exploit the vulnerable.
2 (03:00) **Defining Human Trafficking** - Hyland provides a clear definition of human trafficking, distinguishing it from smuggling and outlining its various forms.
3 (05:46) **The Economic Driver of Trafficking** - Hyland explains how economic desperation makes people vulnerable to being trafficked.
4 (08:34) **Scale of the Problem in the United States** - Hyland provides specific statistics on trafficking in the U.S., highlighting a distinct pattern.
5 (10:01) **Origin Story: From Police Work to Global Advocacy** - Hyland shares his personal journey into this work, starting as a police officer in the UK.
6 (11:44) **The Role of Faith and the G20 Interfaith Forum** - Hyland discusses the critical role of faith-based organizations, including BYU, in keeping trafficking on the global agenda.
7 (13:11) **The Vast Funding Gap** - Hyland details the massive disparity between the crime's profitability and government investment.

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Show Notes

On this episode of "Deseret Voices," guest host Doug Wilks, executive editor of the Deseret News is joined by Kevin Hyland, the United Kingdom's first independent anti-slavery commissioner, to uncover the complex and often hidden world of modern-day slavery. With over 50 million victims worldwide and an estimated 1 million in the United States alone, the conversation explores why current global efforts are failing to meet the scale of this $236 billion criminal industry.

Key Discussion Topics:

The Rise of Cyber Fraud Trafficking: How organized gangs in Southeast Asia and Africa kidnap individuals and force them to run online "scam factories" targeting U.S. and U.K.citizens.
The Funding Gap: A critical look at why the G20 allocates only $1.6 billion to fight trafficking — compared to the trillions spent on terrorism — and Hyland’s call for a $30 billion investment by 2030.
Sporting Events & Exploitation: Why major sporting events like the World Cup and the 2034 Winter Olympics require years of proactive planning to prevent an influx of human trafficking and forced labor.
Supply Chain Ethics: The hidden reality of child labor and slavery in the production of everyday items like smartphones, laptops, and car batteries.
The Role of Faith Communities: How interfaith forums and religious organizations are uniquely positioned to give a voice to the voiceless and provide support for trafficking survivors.

“Deseret Voices” is hosted by award-winning journalists McKay Coppins and Jane Clayson Johnson, who go beyond the headlines to explore the stories, people, and ideas shaping our world today. Through thoughtful, in-depth conversations, the “Deseret Voices” podcast brings clarity and common ground to the complex issues defining our time.

“Deseret Voices” is a Deseret News podcast, produced by Keira Farrimond, Creative Director - Video & Podcasts.

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