Edmonton police announced that four underage girls have been rescued following a human trafficking investigation that lasted for months. Three teens are facing charges for their involvement in the case.
On Thursday, the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team (ALERT) confirmed that a 13-year-old girl who went missing earlier this year was among the victims rescued.
“In April of 2023 Edmonton Police Service patrol members were contacted regarding a missing person’s complaint of a 13-year-old female. The investigation led members to a south side hotel, where they discovered that this missing person was being exploited from that hotel,” Staff Sgt. Chris Hayes of ALERT told reporters Thursday.
According to Hayes, the girl was lured through social media.
“A lot of this was facilitated over Snapchat,” he said. “It was a way for the accused to contact the girls, a way to help with the luring process and procure them and help get them interested in being involved in this situation.”
After the girl was rescued, ALERT managed the investigation, which led to three additional girls being rescued and three people being arrested in August.
At the time of their rescue, some of the girls had been trafficked for up to six months, confirmed Hayes, who said they were lured with the promise of fancy clothes and luxurious trips.
The four victims are receiving support from partner agencies.
“These traffickers are very good at what they do,” said Hayes. “There’s always promises of a lavish lifestyle, of easy money.”
Hayes said it’s important for parents to keep an eye on the online activity of their children and to be aware of who their friends are and who they are communicating with.
“Be involved, know who they’re talking to, ask them questions, be involved in their social life. It’s hard, but it’s so important,” said Hayes. “It’s very alarming how easy it is for these traffickers to put information out on social media and to really prey on these victims.”
There has been a rise in young people falling prey to sex traffickers, according to Mary Jane James of the Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton.
“The victims are younger and younger. And their predators are smarter and smarter. And they know what they’re doing. They know how to groom, they know how to attract it,” James told CTV News Edmonton.
“Let’s face it, most young people are on social media and at one time or another it’s going to happen that someone manages to get in touch with them through that platform and starts out by being their friend, and then it just goes from there.”
James stressed the importance of Hayes’ advice about being in the loop of your children’s online engagement and to keep the dialogue open and ongoing.
“Tell them that there is never anything that they can’t tell you, that what’s happening to them, they’re not going to be in trouble. There is going to be no repercussions. If these children feel that they have a safe place to land when they need to tell someone, they’re more likely to do that,” said James.
The three teens in connections with the trafficking investigation were charged on Oct. 12. They are:
Obinna Nwanekezi, 19, is facing 22 charges, including:
- trafficking a person under 18;
- procuring a person under 18;
- luring a child;
- sexual exploitation;
- material benefit from trafficking a person under 18;
- making child pornography;
- distributing child pornography;
- possessing child pornography;
- agreement/arrangement of sexual offence against child; and
- assault.
Jelani Ried, 19, faces 21 charges, including:
- trafficking a person under 18;
- procuring a person under 18;
- luring a child;
- sexual exploitation;
- material benefit from trafficking a person under 18;
- making child pornography;
- distributing child pornography;
- possessing child pornography; and
- agreement/arrangement of sexual offence against child.
Additionally, a third teen has been charged who cannot be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, as they are 17-years-old.
Hayes said that of the three charged, one remains in custody and the other two have been released under strict conditions.
Anyone who has been a victim of sexual assault or abuse can report it to the Edmonton Police Service by calling 780-423-4567 or 911 if they are in immediate danger.
Anyone who needs support is encouraged to contact the Safety Network Coordinator with the Centre to End All Sexual Exploitation (CEASE) at 780-471-6137.
