Ontario Provincial Police have arrested 47 people and saved 20 victims after a nationwide human trafficking investigation.

Operation Northern Spotlight worked parallel with the United States FBI Operation Cross Country IX. In early October across Canada, the operation saw 47 individuals charged with 135 offences ranging from trafficking in persons, forcible confinement, child pornography and sexual assault with a weapon.

“The OPP is committed to fighting human trafficking through intelligence gathering, working co-operatively with our law enforcement and community partners to support victims and ongoing enforcement efforts,” Scott Tod, OPP deputy commissioner and provincial commander of investigations and organized crime, said in a release. “Human trafficking investigations are complex and labour intensive and we must continue to fight for the rights of those victims who are often from vulnerable sectors of our population in Ontario.”

Operation Northern Spotlight included police officers from 40 different agencies across the country holding pre-arranged meetings with people suspected in partaking in the sex trade, potentially against their will. OPP reported the 20 victims, most younger than 19 years old but the youngest 14, were working in the sex trade against their will or as a minor.

Sgt. Brad Brooker, of the Kingston Police street crime unit, was the supervisor of the Kingston Police Force’s efforts for Operation Northern Spotlight.

“Over that wee, we conducted three investigations involving four women,” Brooker wrote in an email. “None of these women expressed any concern.”

Brooker said the women, none previously known to police, were from the Montreal area and were between the ages of 18 and 35. They informed officers they were involved in the sex trade willingly and weren’t being forced. No charges were laid.

“In cases like this, we are trying to ensure the women’s safety,” Brooker said. “We always leave them with contact information so that should they find themselves in a bad situation, they have someone to call.”

The FBI’s Operation Cross Country IX saw 149 sexually exploited children rescued, and more than 150 pimps and other individuals arrested. Their investigation was conducted in 135 cities across the U.S., with more than 500 law enforcement officials meeting suspects in hotels, casinos, truck stops and other areas frequented by pimps, prostitutes and their customers. The youngest victim recovered was 12 years old.

“Human trafficking is a threat which targets the vulnerable around the world, and one of the most vulnerable — our children,” Joseph Campbell, assistant director of the FBI criminal investigation division, said in a news release. “Our partnerships enabled the FBI and Canadian law enforcement agencies to share best practices and intelligence. As a result of this collaboration and sharing, both U.S. and Canadian law enforcement agencies rescued children and arrested those involved in the trafficking of children.”



steph.crosier@sunmedia.ca

Twitter.com/StephattheWhig