BOSTON (WWLP) – Forty-eight endangered missing children have been safely recovered in Massachusetts following a multi-agency operation led by the U.S. Marshals Service, officials announced Monday.

The U.S. Marshals Service District of Massachusetts, Massachusetts State Police and Boston Police Department conducted Operation Yellow Card in connection with the FIFA World Cup soccer tournament.

The operation was designed to locate and safely recover endangered missing children considered at heightened risk of human trafficking, commercial sexual exploitation, violence and other forms of victimization during the international sporting event.

The children recovered ranged in age from 12 to 17. Investigators tracked leads across Massachusetts and into multiple other states, resulting in several children being located outside the Commonwealth.

Officials said the operation also generated investigations involving alleged kidnapping, child exploitation, human trafficking, and other related criminal offenses.

“Every one of the 48 recoveries represents a child whose future has been changed and a family that has been given hope. Protecting vulnerable children is among the most important missions entrusted to the U.S. Marshals Service. Every successful recovery reflects the dedication of experienced investigators and trusted law enforcement partners working together to locate endangered children and protect them from exploitation and victimization.

There is no greater measure of success than knowing that 48 children who were once missing are now safe because dedicated law enforcement professionals refused to stop searching for them,” said Dennis Matulewicz, a United States Marshal for the District of Massachusetts.

The operation used specialized authorities granted to the U.S. Marshals Service under the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015 and brought together local, state and federal agencies.

“Every missing child we locate and recover is a young person given a greater opportunity to find safety, stability, and the support they need to move forward free from victimization and exploitation. Every child deserves that chance. Protecting our most vulnerable young people is at the heart of the Massachusetts State Police High Risk Victims Unit’s mission, and the dedicated men and women of that unit are proud to carry out that work alongside our local and federal law enforcement partners,” said Colonel Geoffrey Noble of the Massachusetts State Police.

Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox said the operation also demonstrated the department’s ongoing commitment to investigating crimes involving vulnerable young people.

“The Boston Police Department is here to serve and protect people of all ages. We want this collaborative operation to send a clear message. If you commit these horrific and targeted crimes, we will work tirelessly to hold you accountable. This investigation resulted in these young survivors returning to their loved ones. We are grateful and proud to work with our state and federal partners to ensure these survivors are not forgotten. This important work was done surrounding the World Cup events, but it continues year-round for our detectives alongside our law enforcement partners,” said Commissioner Michael Cox, Boston Police Department.

The U.S. Marshals Service credited numerous agencies and organizations with assisting the operation, including the Massachusetts State Police High Risk Victims Unit, Boston Police Department Human Trafficking Unit, Essex, Plymouth and Suffolk district attorneys’ offices, Homeland Security Investigations, FBI, Massachusetts Department of Children & Families, Massachusetts Department of Youth Services, Boston Family Justice Center and Massachusetts Office of the Commissioner of Probation Interstate Compact Unit.

Officials said Operation Yellow Card has concluded, but investigations and efforts to recover endangered missing children will continue. Victim service providers and other participating agencies also assisted with the effort.

The U.S. Marshals Service said its Missing Child Program has helped recover thousands of endangered missing children across the country since 2015.

Anyone with information about missing or exploited children is encouraged to contact local law enforcement or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678 (1-800-THE-LOST).