A Windsor man is among 13 people arrested by the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) in an alleged human trafficking ring.
Two weeks ago, police in the Niagara region began an investigation targeting people who used the internet to talk to young people who were believed to have been offering sexual services for money.
From January 31 to February 3, police from various agencies assisted Niagara investigators with arresting 13 men at a local hotel, among them a 33-year-old from Windsor.
Those arrested ranged in age from 20 to 60. Out of the remaining suspects, four were from Niagara Falls, three from St. Catharines, two from Thorold, and one each from Welland, Niagara-on-the-Lake, and Buffalo, New York.
"These arrests showcase the dedication of our members in ensuring some of the most vulnerable members of our community are protected, sending a strong message that the predatory behaviours associated with human trafficking will not be tolerated in Niagara," said NRPS Chief Bill Fordy.
The NRPS worked with the RCMP, the Canada Border Services Agency, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and the OPP's Border Enforcement Services team. The OPP's Anti-Human Trafficking Intelligence Led Joint Force Strategy, which includes Windsor police, joined Niagara in its investigation.
All 13 are charged with luring a child for immoral purposes, obtaining sexual services for consideration from a person under 18, and inviting or counselling sexual exploitation of a young person. The charges have not been proven in court.
All of the accused were held in custody and attended video bail hearings.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information should call NRPS at (905) 688-4111, option 3, ext. 1009544. Anonymous tips may be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
