New Delhi, Nov. 25 -- Colombian immigration authorities have taken 17 children into protective custody after a weekend raid uncovered members of the ultra-Orthodox Jewish sect Lev Tahor, a group long accused of child abuse, kidnapping, and human trafficking across multiple countries.

Gloria Esperanza Arriero, director of Colombia's national immigration service, confirmed to The Associated Press that officials questioned nine adult sect members during a hotel inspection on Sunday in the town of Yarumal, in northwestern Colombia.

Police said the operation took place on Saturday after residents alerted authorities to the group's presence. Officers moved quickly, citing warning signs of a potential trafficking network.

According to a polic...