Police have charged two people with 41 offences in connection with an Ontario-wide human-trafficking operation dubbed "Northern Spotlight."
The charges come after a two-day coordinated effort where dozens of officers from 21 police services interviewed more than 120 people believed to a part of the sex trade. The pre-arranged interviews were conducted on June 17 and June 18.
According to police, officers were also able to ensure the safety of six females who were working in the sex trade as minors or against their will. One victim was 14-years-old, three were 15, one was 16 and the other was 19.
"We focused on females believed to be in the sex trade who officers believed may be victims of human trafficking," Toronto police Insp. Joanna Beaven-Desjardins told reporters on Wednesday.
During the investigation, Beaven-Desjardins said police in Durham were also able to identify a suspect wanted in connection with another human-trafficking probe. She said officers conducted an investigation with a 14-year-old girl for a possible intervention. The young teen told officers she was allegedly being forced into the sex trade by a man.
He has since been identified as Levi Alexander, 19, of Toronto.
Alexander is wanted on a Canada-wide warrant for human trafficking in connection to another investigation, "Project Guardian." According to police, Alexander allegedly forced a 16-year-old girl into the sex trade.
Beaven-Desjardins described Alexander as a "very dangerous" man.
"He's a typical pimp," she said. "He romanticizes the victim, promises them wealth, security, promises them that he's going to be their boyfriend."
Anyone with information is asked to contact sex crimes investigators at 416-808-7474, or Crime Stoppers at 416-222-TIPS (8477).
