Mississauga/ CMEDIA: Following a yearlong investigation in Mississauga, thirteen victims of human trafficking have been rescued from their alleged captors, Peel Regional Police reportedly said.
The operation led by Det. David Laing announced arrest of five people, at a news conference Wednesday, numerous charges laid, and recovery drugs and other property by law enforcement officers.
The investigation which began in April of 2022, said Laing after Peel police received a community complaint regarding an illegal bawdy house operating out of a condo apartment in Mississauga.
“Investigators identified a criminal network operating multiple illegal bawdy houses within the City of Mississauga,” Laing said.
“It was determined that these illegal bawdy houses were all being openly advertised for sexual services on the Internet.”
He said the vulnerabilities of the victims were bingused by members of the criminal network to manipulate them into working and living within these locations.
Investigators also determined that several members of the criminal network benefiting financially from the victimization and the exploitation of the victims in the sex trade, Laing said.
“All 13 victims in this investigation are of Chinese descent and have varying immigration status,” Laing said.
“One thing that all these victims had in common was that they came to Canada for a better life. However, 12 of these victims were recruited domestically.”
According to Laing, of those arrested include a 59-year-old woman from Milton, a 63-year-old woman from Mississauga, a 39-year-old woman from Markham, a 55-year-old woman from Mississauga, and a 71-year-old man from Mississauga.
They face several charges, including controlling, invluencing, Deriving material benefit from sexual services, trafficking cocaine and more charges.
Additional charges were anticipated by the investigators to be laid against members of the alleged criminal networkfor their financial gain and exploitation of the victims, Laing said.
Peel’s location within the Greater Toronto Area, which is a major hub for human trafficking , has made this a priority for the community and the police service, Peel police Deputy Chief Nick Milinovich said.
The issue of human trafficking and to provision of necessary supports and services to victims and survivorsis are being addressed collaboratively by Peel police and community agencies, said Milinovich.
Meanwhile, due to a possibility of additional victims and witnesses Laing said and investigators are urging them to come forward and contact Peel Regional Police, the Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline or Crime Stoppers.
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