Three Ottawa Men Arrested for Human Trafficking

Several law enforcement agencies worked together to arrest and charge three men in a human trafficking case that authorities suspect may involve more victims.

From 2025 to this year, the Ontario Provincial Police and the Ottawa Police Service collaborated on what officials call a “complex investigation” into an organized human trafficking operation between the capital city and the Greater Toronto Area.

According to a press release from police, the case started in Ottawa and London, Ont., but later extended to other cities including Windsor, Toronto, and Sarnia.

As a result of their efforts, police arrested three men in Ottawa earlier this month:

Moad ‘Benzi’ Ben Yahya, 28 Abdulaziz ‘Zee’ Al-Zouaghi, 27 Mohammad ‘Mur’ Elmuradi, 26

Each of them faces “numerous” charges related to human trafficking.

Officials noted they have identified several women as potential victims, including six who have stepped forward with statements for investigators.

However, authorities believe there could be additional victims who haven’t been identified or who have not come forward yet.

“We know that coming forward can be extremely difficult for victims of human trafficking,” the release reads. “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.”

Federal Funding for Support Groups

Last week, the federal government announced $1.4 million in funding for six organizations nationwide that work against human trafficking and assist survivors.

This includes two community groups in Nova Scotia as well as organizations in Vancouver, Winnipeg, Windsor, Ont., and St. John’s, N. L.

One program focuses on Indigenous women and girls; another aims to prevent exploitation among newcomers; while another targets men and boys as part of its prevention efforts.

The government reports that 93 percent of human trafficking victims who reported incidents to police between 2014 and 2024 were women and girls.

Around 63 percent of those victims were under 25 years old.

With files from Devin Stevens,

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