Two people are now facing dozens of charges in connection with a human trafficking investigation that began in Ontario and led police as far as Nova Scotia.
One of the two charged in the 10-month-long investigation is a resident of Brampton, Ont.
The Provincial Human Trafficking Intelligence-led Joint Forces Strategy launched Project Nebula last September to investigate reports of suspected human trafficking.
The investigation consisted of a total of 20 police agencies working in tandem across the province, including Kingston, Ottawa, Peel, Toronto, Windsor and York.
While the investigation was first launched in eastern Ontario, authorities were then led to southern Ontario, Quebec, and ultimately Nova Scotia.
Edmonton Police Service, Waterloo Police Service, the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada and the Canada Border Services Agency also aided in the investigation.
Project Nebula confirmed there were at least three female victims, although authorities suspect possibly more, and made two arrests, including a 45-year-old from Brampton, Ont. and a 33-year-old from Sydney, N.S.
Due to a publication ban, police have not released any further information and the identities of those involved.
What is known is that the two arrested face a total of 36 charges, 17 of which are related to human trafficking, however, the charges have not been tested in court.
The two accused remain in custody, making their first appearance before the Ontario Court of Justice in Ottawa on August 23, 2024.
Their next scheduled appearance is slated for September 9, 2024.
The IJFS confirmed that the three victims have been referred to a support program dedicated to victims of human trafficking.
The Government of Ontario announced funding to establish the IJFS in March 2020 to create a force that would consist of full-time investigators and analysts who help participate with police agencies throughout the province, including municipal and First Nations.
The agency also provides additional resources to the OPP and assists in identifying, investigating and disrupting multi-jurisdictional human trafficking organizations operating within Ontario.
Police urge that if anyone knows of someone who is being trafficked – to notify their local police immediately.
