Ottawa Police results for “Operation Northern Spotlight IV”

(Ottawa)—From October 5-8, 2015 the Ottawa Police Service Human Trafficking Unit participated in the fourth edition of Operation Northern Spotlight (ONS) — a national initiative to combat Human Trafficking involving more than 40 police services from across Canada.

At the same time, the FBI jointly ran ‘Operation Cross Country’ – a collaborative effort across the United States involving all levels of police, working together to rescue/recover child sex trafficking victims. Dating back to 2003, this annual initiative has identified and recovered thousands of child sex trafficking victims in the U.S. over 8 installments.

In spring 2015, the FBI reached out to share information and work together with Canadian Police in a collaborative effort to fight this borderless crime. At that time, a plan was formulated for Canadian and American law enforcement to work together on an International joint initiative to rescue and recover human trafficking victims forced to work in the sex trade as a minor or against their will. More than 500 U.S. Police Services participated in this initiative.

The Cornwall Police and the RCMP Human Trafficking National Coordination Centre joined the Ottawa Police for the project.

“In Ottawa, 11 sex trade workers were contacted during this month’s Operation Northern Spotlight,” said Acting Staff Sergeant Jeff LeBlanc, Human Trafficking Unit. “One 17 year old female victim of human trafficking was recovered resulting in the arrest of two adult males.”

A total of 11 criminal charges were laid as follows:

Liban AHMED, 21 years old, of Ottawa was charged with:

Traffic in persons under 18 receive material benefit

Traffic in persons under 18 by recruiting

Traffic in persons under 18 by exercising control

Receive material benefit from sexual services provided by person under 18 years

Procure person under 18 years to provide sexual services for consideration

Recruit person under 18 years to provide sexual services for consideration

Advertising another person’s sexual services

Assault with a weapon

Abad Abdi SHIRE, 21 years old, of Ottawa was charged with:

Obstruct police

Breach of recognizance, he was also breaching a Conditional Sentence Order (house arrest)

Both have appeared in court. AHMED was released on conditions; and SHIRE remains in custody.

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