PORTSMOUTH — A joint undercover operation targeting sex trafficking and the exploitation of minors has led to the arrest of three men, the Portsmouth Police Department announced Thursday, Aug. 7.

Beginning in June 2025, the Portsmouth Police Detective Division, in coordination with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)-New England, led the operation with assistance from the Warwick, Newport and East Providence police departments.

On Thursday, Portsmouth Police concluded the operation with the arrest of Ricard S. Ramirez, 28, of Bridgeport, Conn. The arrest followed online exchanges of explicit messages and files sent by Ramirez to a person whom he believed to be a minor, according to police.

A court-authorized arrest warrant was secured and on Wednesday, Aug. 6, the Connecticut Violent

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