Ottawa man charged with 76 offenses including Trafficking in persons

(Ottawa)—On September 14, 2015 the Ottawa Police Human Trafficking Unit (HTU) concluded a four (4) month long investigation with the execution of search warrants and the arrest of two individuals.

“In late April 2015, an organized prostitution/human trafficking operation was discovered by HTU during a joint community safety project focusing on massage parlours,” said Sgt. Jeff Leblanc, Human Trafficking Unit. “A follow-up investigation identified links between several locations which advertised sexual services.”

Search warrants were executed at three (3) residential locations: 1-100 block of Charles Street, 2000 block of Merivale Road and 900 block of York Street. Two of the locations were operating as massage parlours.

Two adults were arrested and police made the seizure of $14,000 in cash.

Zhao LIU (m), 33 years old, of Ottawa, has been charged with 76 criminal offences related to a total of 17 adult female victims identified. The charges include:

Trafficking in Persons – Recruiting

Trafficking in Persons – Receive Material Benefit

Procuring Persons to provide Sexual Services for Consideration

Receive Material Benefit from Sexual Services for Consideration

Advertise Another Person’s Sexual Services

Possession of Proceeds of Crime Over $5000

He appeared in court today for a bail hearing.

The second adult suspect, a female, was released without charge.

Four (4) adult female victims were located during the search warrants yesterday and interviewed by police.

The Ottawa Police investigation continues.

Over 150,000 Monthly Readers! 1 Million+ Across the entire FreePress Network.