Eastern Ontario Strike Force Dismantles Vicious Human Trafficking Ring, Five Arrested

A significant, multi-agency operation has culminated in the arrest of five individuals suspected of operating a heinous human trafficking ring across Eastern Ontario. The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) announced the breakthrough, revealing a network that allegedly exploited vulnerable individuals for sexual purposes, leading to charges that include human trafficking, sexual assault, and a range of other serious offenses.

The investigation, dubbed 'Project MYRA', was launched in December 2023 by the OPP Anti-Human Trafficking Investigation Unit.

Its scope quickly expanded, drawing in resources from the Cornwall Police Service, Ottawa Police Service, Sûreté du Québec, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), highlighting the inter-provincial and cross-border nature of such sophisticated criminal enterprises.

During a series of coordinated arrests on May 1, 2024, law enforcement executed warrants in Cornwall and Ottawa, bringing an end to the alleged operations of this group.

Police successfully identified multiple victims connected to the ring, all of whom are now receiving critical support through various community victim services and outreach organizations, a crucial step in their recovery process.

The five accused face a combined total of 56 charges, painting a grim picture of the extent of their alleged criminal activities.

The charges include human trafficking, sexual assault, assault, uttering threats, drug trafficking (cocaine and fentanyl), possession of property obtained by crime, and multiple firearm offenses, including possession of a loaded prohibited firearm. These comprehensive charges underscore the multifaceted nature of organized crime, where human exploitation often intertwines with other illegal endeavors.

In addition to the arrests, authorities seized significant evidence, including cash, quantities of cocaine and fentanyl, several vehicles, and a loaded firearm.

These seizures not only disrupt the immediate operations of the trafficking ring but also deal a blow to their financial infrastructure and capacity for future harm.

The OPP is using this successful operation as an opportunity to raise public awareness about the pervasive and often hidden crime of human trafficking.

They urge anyone with information related to human trafficking to contact the Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking hotline at 1-833-900-1010. They also emphasize that if someone suspects they or someone they know might be a victim of human trafficking, immediate reporting to the police or relevant support services is crucial.

This collaborative effort serves as a powerful reminder of law enforcement's unwavering commitment to dismantle these networks and protect the most vulnerable in our communities.