Authorities report that three men have been apprehended following an extensive inquiry into a human trafficking operation that spanned Ottawa, the Greater Toronto Area, and other regions in the province.
On Monday, the Ottawa Police Service and Ontario Provincial Police shared details of a collaborative investigation into human trafficking conducted from 2025 to July 2026.
The inquiry began in Ottawa and London but was later broadened to include additional communities across Ontario, such as Windsor, London, Toronto, and Sarnia, as stated by police.
Moad Ben Yahya (also known as ‘Benzi’), 28, Abdulaziz Al-Zouaghi (commonly referred to as ‘Zee’), 27, and Mohammad Elmuradi (known as ‘Mur’), 26, were detained in Ottawa on July 8. The trio faces multiple charges related to human trafficking.
Police have indicated that six women have stepped forward to provide statements to investigators.
Investigators believe there may be more victims who haven’t yet come forward or been identified.
“We know that coming forward can be extremely difficult for victims of human trafficking,” police said in a news release.
“Our priority is to ensure victims are treated with compassion, dignity, and respect while connecting them with the supports and resources they need. We encourage anyone who may have had contact with the accused or who believes they may have been victimized to reach out to police.”
An ongoing investigation is being led by members of the OPP’s Provincial Anti-Human Trafficking Unit East Team alongside the Ottawa Police Service’s Human Trafficking Unit.
“Human Trafficking investigators will respect victims’ wishes regarding whether to pursue criminal charges, and regardless, can offer resources to support survivors of human trafficking. The reporting of these incidents by victims to police is key for investigators to identify suspects and determine crime trends,” police say.
Anyone with information about the suspects or the investigation is encouraged to contact the Ottawa Police Service Human Trafficking Unit at humantrafficking@ottawapolice. ca or 613-236-1222, ext. 5895.
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