The investigation started in October 2022; Halton Regional Police amongst accomplice businesses
NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
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Police have arrested and charged a number of people in reference to a human trafficking investigation. Amongst these victimized had been three people who had been underage in some unspecified time in the future through the time they had been trafficked.
The Provincial Human Trafficking Intelligence-Led Joint Forces Technique (IJFS) launched an investigation, named Challenge Uptown, in October 2022 after they acquired details about suspected human trafficking.
Because of Challenge Uptown:
5 victims had been recognized
six people had been arrested
81 charges had been laid
$1,100 in Canadian foreign money was seized
greater than 30 grams of varied illicit substances had been recovered
one firearm was recovered
Notably, through the investigation, investigators found a feminine sufferer had been trafficked all through Ontario by eight separate male events since 2014. Every accused employed totally different strategies of exploitation and has been charged with extra crimes past human trafficking.
Victims have been referred to devoted sufferer companies to make sure they obtain continued help. The success of Challenge Uptown underscores the important significance of cooperation amongst regulation enforcement companions in combating human trafficking.
IJFS accomplice businesses who supported this investigation embody: Anishinabek Police Service, Barrie Police Service, Durham Regional Police Service, Higher Sudbury Police Service, Halton Regional Police Service, Hamilton Police Service, Kingston Police Service, Niagara Regional Police Service, Ottawa Police Service, Peel Regional Police, Six Nations Police Service, Toronto Police Service and York Regional Police.
Members of the OPP Sufferer-Centred Method Staff, OPP Digital Forensics and the Monetary Transactions and Studies Evaluation Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) additionally assisted. North Simcoe Sufferer Companies and Sudbury & Space Sufferer Companies supplied sufferer help and schooling.
Should you or somebody you understand is being trafficked, name your native police. The Canadian Centre to Finish Human Trafficking has assets obtainable for victims and survivors of human trafficking on their web site. A nationwide hotline can be obtainable 24 hours a day, seven days per week at 1-833-900-1010.
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“Challenge Uptown’s success underscores the important significance of collaboration between regulation enforcement businesses and group companions in combating the heinous crime of human trafficking. This investigation demonstrates that by working collectively, we will disrupt these legal actions and supply essential help to the victims.” – Detective Inspector Mike Thurlow – OPP IJFS Lead
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