25 arrested in provincial human trafficking sting
Posted Oct 18, 2016 08:12:14 AM.
Last Updated Oct 18, 2016 06:34:31 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
OPP say 25 people have been charged with 67 offences through the fifth installment of ‘Operation Northern Spotlight’.
‘Operation Northern Spotlight’ is a coordinated, national investigation that aims to suppress human trafficking and utilizes multiple police forces throughout Ontario.
Waterloo Regional Police, Guelph Police and Stratford Police were among the police forces that participated in the latest phase of the operation.
Regional Police Staff Sgt. Eugene Fenton tells 570 News that although they spoke to multiple women locally, no charges have been laid at this time.
“This year, Waterloo Regional Police teamed up with St. Thomas Police Service and the local RCMP detachment. We put together an investigative team that went out and engaged with 7 females over the course of the operation who were involved in the sex trade, in an attempt to identify if any of them were doing so against their will and being trafficked. In the end, none of the females identified stated that they were victims of human trafficking.”
Fenton says although none of the local women they spoke to are involved in human trafficking — it does continue to have a presence in our region.
“Unfortunately human trafficking continues to be a presence in our region that we do monitor. Part of that is our location to the 401– which is often referred to as the 401 corridor — as traffickers will move victims from city to city or hotel to hotel to avoid detection and also to isolate their victims. It is a very concerning crime as it preys on our most vulnerable victims. We do see a trend of younger female victims who are lured into this lifestyle and forced to continue with it. Anytime someone feels like they have information that relates to one of these incidents, we definitely want to hear about it and we follow up every lead.”
Fenton adds that social media can also a play a scary role in human trafficking.
“Especially with younger females, they can be lured into dangerous situations through social media and be convinced to meet these traffickers. Once they meet with them, often the tables are turned quickly, and the victim can find themselves in a situation that they aren’t in control of anymore.”
Through the investigation ‘Operation Northern Spotlight’, police were able to free 16 people across our province who had been working in the sex trade as a minor or against their will.
