News Release - Winnipeg Police Service

Tuesday, October 7, 2014                         OPERATION NORTHERN SPOTLIGHT – PHASE 2 Coordinated Nationwide Human Trafficking Investigation   Numerous charges have been laid by police following the second installment of a coordinated, national investigation to suppress human trafficking.   Last week as part of Operation Northern Spotlight, members of 26 police services pre-arranged to meet with people suspected of partaking in the sex trade, potentially against their will, at urban locations across Canada. During the coordinated investigations over a two-day period last week, police charged nine people with 33 offences. Police were also able to ensure the safety of 18people who had been working in the sex trade as a minor or against their will, including a 12-year-old. 167 officers and support staff combined to interview 257 people -- including 255 women -- and offer them information and contacts with community-based support agencies where available.   Charges include Exercise Control, Make Child Pornography, Distribute Child Pornography, Forcible Confinement, Trafficking in Persons, Material Benefit Resulting from Trafficking in Persons, Withhold or Destroy Documents, Living off the Avails, Assault, Utter Threats, Obstruct Police, and Failure To Comply with Court Orders and Conditions including Breaches of Recognizance and Probation. In Ontario municipal police jurisdictions, operations were supported, where appropriate, by members of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).   The following police services participated in this phase of Operation Northern Spotlight: Barrie Police Service, Brantford Police Service, Durham Regional Police, Halton Regional Police, Hamilton Police Service, Kingston Police Service, RCMP – Kitchener, London Police Service, Peel Regional Police Service, Peterborough-Lakefield Community Police Service, Port Hope Police Service, Toronto Police Service, Waterloo Regional Police Service, Windsor Police Service, OPP, Calgary Police Service, Edmonton Police Service, Lethbridge Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team [ALERT], Regina Police Service, Saskatoon Police Service, Winnipeg Police Service, RCMP Exploited Persons Pro-active Strategy (EPPS), Gatineau Police, Ville de Quebec Police, Halifax Regional Police, and RCMP Halifax.    In January 2014, Durham Regional Police coordinated Operation Northern Spotlight which focussed on hotels and motels along major thoroughfares in 30 cities and towns across the country. Police from 26 jurisdictions interviewed hundreds of young women – some as young as 15 – and found many were subjected to threats of violence, extortion, drug dependency or other forms of coercion by their adult male controllers. 342 females were interviewed and offered support.   In Winnipeg, investigators with the Counter Exploitation Unit (CEU) were assisted by officers of the Counter Exploitation Team (CET), Missing Persons Unit (MPU) and RCMP – Exploited Persons Pro-active Strategy (EPPS).  A total of 18 women, aged between 18 to 54 yrs, were interviewed in massage parlours and hotels located throughout the City of Winnipeg.  Investigators believed that some of these women were under some level of control.  They were offered support services, including health care and mental/emotional supports, in hopes they can consider other options.   Clients are made aware of the women through various websites and often call or text a cell phone number to arrange liaisons at local hotel, massage parlours and motels.   The Winnipeg Police Service Counter Exploitation Unit remains committed to helping all victims and connecting them with community resources to support them.   Over the past year, the Counter Exploitation Unit has been investigating several incidents in which women are being Human Trafficked and coerced into the sex trade.   Winnipeg Police Service takes these cases seriously and will conduct a thorough investigation, as well as protect the victims of this crime.   In Winnipeg, anyone with new information that might assist investigators is asked to contact the Counter Exploitation Unit (CEU) at 1-204-986-3464     For further information contact either: Constable Jason Michalyshen, Public Information Officer Constable Eric Hofley, Public Information Officer Detective Sergeant Natalie Aitken, Public Information Officer Phone: (204) 986-3061 | Fax: (204) 986-3267 | Email: WPS-PIO@Winnipeg.ca Share this mailing with your social network by clicking on the appropriate link:       Related Winnipeg Police Service Report a Crime Online Crime Stoppers CrimeStat Unsubscribe If you do not want to receive these emails anymore, unsubscribe. 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