The federal grant is for almost $370,000 and the money will help Metro police get a handle on exactly how many people may be victims of this crime. It will also pay to dedicate officers to target the people responsible for the human trafficking

In a place where tourists feel anything goes, Clark County Sheriff Bill Young says he will not tolerate human trafficking.

Sheriff Young believes the practice of true slave labor may be a widespread problem in the Las Vegas Valley and he says he knows it reaches into prostitution.

"If you look up and down Spring Mountain, you will see a number of massage parlors. Many of those are fronts for prostitution," Sheriff Young said.

The sheriff says human traffickers shuttle women against their will in and out of Asia to work in the parlors.

"More often than not the women who are in there are part of some sort of human trafficking scheme," Young said.  Now, Metro will have the money to crack down on those rings.

The federal government pledged almost $370,000 dollars to fight the problem on a local level. In 2004, Metro, working with the Department of Justice and FBI, arrested five people under Operation Jade Blade. Police say the ring forced Asian men and women to engage in sex acts for money.

Metro Captain Terry Lesney will oversee the new effort.  She says human trafficking, although connected to prostitution in the valley, is not limited to it.

"Mail order brides, involuntary servitude, domestic help. We believe we have a bigger issue than we know," said Capt. Terry Lesney, Metro.

Lesney says many times undocumented workers smuggled into Las Vegas from Mexico fall victim.  She says from their view point, there's no way out.

"Once I am across the border, I'm told I will be a migrant worker. I am moved from place to place. I don't have any contact with my family.  I am threatened.  I live in a small room.  They move me to different places and basically I never get paid," Lesney said.

Lesney hopes to send out the message that human trafficking in Las Vegas will not be allowed. The money will also pay for officer education.

Under federal law, victims of human trafficking can get a special visa to stay in the United States and get help from social services.  The idea is to provide sanctuary for victims.