(LONDON, ON) – On August 30, 2017 members of the Middlesex County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and the Middlesex OPP Crime Unit became engaged in a human trafficking investigation.
Police received information that a female was being physically and sexually victimized by two men who were known to her.
On August 31, 2017 members of the OPP Elgin-Middlesex Community Street Crimes Unit (CSCU) and the Middlesex OPP Crime Unit, assisted by members of the London Police Service, executed search warrants on a vehicle and a residence in the City of London. As a result of this warrant, a third male party was arrested and subsequently charged with narcotics related charges.
As a result of this investigation, a 23-year-old male from London was arrested and charged with the following offences pursuant to the Criminal Code of Canada (CCC) and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA):
Assault x 6
Traffic in Persons x 4
Assault with a Weapon x 3
Distribute Intimate Image Without Consent
Uttering Threats
Theft Under $5000
Mischief Under $5000
Pointing a Firearm
Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm
Possession of a Controlled Substances x 2
Possession of a Schedule I Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking
This accused remains in custody pending a future bail hearing.
A second 23-year-old male, also from London, was arrested and charged with the following offences pursuant to the CCC and the CDSA:
Traffic in Persons
Distribute Intimate Image Without Consent
Possession of a Controlled Substances x 2
Possession of a Schedule I Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking
Fail to Comply with Probation Order
This accused has appeared in a London court and has been released from custody and is scheduled to answer to the charges at the Ontario Court of Justice in London.
A 24-year-old from London was arrested and charged with the following offences pursuant to the CDSA:
Possession of a Controlled Substances x 2
Possession of a Schedule I Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking
This accused was released on a Promise to Appear (PTA) and is scheduled to answer to the charges at the Ontario Court of Justice in London.
There is no information to suggest that there are additional victims in this case.
Anyone with information regarding this or any similar investigation is encouraged to contact the OPP anytime, anywhere, in the Province of Ontario at 1-888-310-1122.
Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), or submit a tip online at www.londoncrimestoppers.com where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2000.