Police launch human trafficking investigation

By Amos Johnson

A woman has been rescued from an alleged sex trafficking operation and a man is behind bars following a disturbance at a Windsor hotel.

Police said officers responding to a complaint on Sunday, Feb. 17 found a woman who claimed to have been forced to work in the sex trade. They said the woman told them she had recently travelled to Windsor from another province with an adult male.

Subsequent investigations led to a vehicle which was stopped along Highway 401 near Woodstock; a man was arrested there without incident. He was brought back to Windsor and charged with human trafficking, assault, uttering a threat, theft under $5000 and forcible confinement.

The name of the suspect is not being released to protect the victim’s identity.

The case is currently under investigation by the Major Crimes Branch.

Anyone with more information is urged to share it by contacting the Windsor Police Service at 519-255-6700 ext. 4250, Crime Stoppers (anonymously) at 519-258-8477 or by visiting www.catchcrooks.com.

Today we recognize Ontario's #HumanTraffickingAwarenessDay. This serious crime does not require the crossing of borders or movement of persons. Exploitation is the key element of the offence. As this recent case highlights, offenders will be charged!https://t.co/w44kYC2H7q pic.twitter.com/yLzAEjj9W9

— Windsor Police (@WindsorPolice) February 22, 2019