Police rescued 64 Mexican-born workers who were exploited for work by trafficking rings operating throughout the Greater Toronto area. Seven people were charged, including five arrested on multiple crime charges.
Police said the victims were living in “horrible conditions”, including overcrowding, with dozens sleeping on mattresses on the floor. They also suffered from food shortages and were subjected to various forms of coercion and control, including “isolation, lack of freedom, economic restraint, intimidation and sexual assault.”
“this case have to be influenced everyone deeply. our member it was shocked and of conditions or of victim it was life of, and I wanted none more [than] To do everything they can To Assist York Regional Police (YRP) Deputy Chief Alvaro Almeida said: Press conference March 3rd.
On February 8, police executed search warrants in Vaughan, Toronto, Mississauga, and the town of East Gwillimbury, about 60 kilometers north of Toronto, leading to the arrest and indictment of five people. Individual. His two other suspects are on the run. A list of defendants and their charges, as well as videos and photos, can be found at YRP release.
They were led to Canada with promises of opportunity and a better life. But the reality was miserable living conditions and exploitation.
Through Project Nolte, our investigators rescued 64 Mexicans from an international trafficking ring. https://t.co/p5giuQIYoi pic.twitter.com/LR3Gei5HCK
— York Local Police (@YRP) March 3, 2023
Two of the five arrested are Canadians, a 45-year-old man, Tre Trinh, and a 49-year-old woman, Thi Him Huyen. His three other people charged are all Mexican citizens, a 51-year-old man, Jesnavalette Garcia, a woman of unknown age, Montserrat Monjarras, and a 48-year-old man, Hiram Amaury Martinez Rodriguez.
Police have issued warrants for Rosales Gómez, a 31-year-old man, and García Galvan, a man whose age and location are unknown.
The successful rescue operation comes after a months-long investigation called “Project Norte,” which began in November 2022 after the YRP received information about Mexican citizens being exploited for labor in the region. I was. A number of security agencies, including the Canadian Border Services Agency and the Ontario Police, assisted with the investigation, the release said.
false promise
Criminal gangs allegedly “lure victims to Canada” with false promises of good jobs, a better standard of living and other opportunities such as documentation, police said. They were forced to live in difficult conditions and were exploited for manual labor on farms, factories, and warehouses in the greater Toronto area. YRP Press Release.
Almeida urged other possible victims of human trafficking to seek help.
“people or offal in the meantime trafficked and exploited of this the way that is frequent Damn you. They are afraid to ask for help. “We fear that we will be arrested and deported and fear retaliation from traffickers.”
“We are here to send a message to everyone who finds themselves in a similar situation. The message is: ‘We are here to help.'”
On the day of the police operation, a victim assistance center was set up in partnership with a local religious group, and local businesses also prepared Mexican-style meals for the victims at the center. Of the 64 victims, 53 accepted offers of help. YRP Det. Sergeant Gary McBride told reporters at a press conference.
He also said the Mexican Consulate in Toronto is in contact with citizens to provide support and services.