RCMP constable charged following human trafficking investigation north of Toronto
York Regional Police have charged a 44-year-old RCMP officer with human trafficking following an investigation into forced labour.
Police said the investigation started in April after a victim came forward to police and filed a report. Officers said the victim, who previously lived in Mexico, arranged to come to Canada for an employment opportunity.
When the victim arrived at the residence of his employer on Bayview Avenue in Georgina, Ont., he was allegedly made to work caring for animals under very poor working conditions that were not consistent with agreement.
Police said they arrested the accused, Israel Yahsif Mane Monter of the Town of Georgina, on May 3, and charged him with trafficking in persons, forgery, animal cruelty and possession of a prohibited device.
The RCMP issued a news release on Tuesday saying they are aware of the arrest of their constable, and noted that Mane Monter is a member of the RCMP’s Toronto North Transnational Organized Crime unit.
The RCMP said they are cooperating with the York Regional Police as they continue their investigation. They stated that Mane Monter has been suspended with pay, and that an internal investigation is active and ongoing.
Investigators with York Regional Police said they believe there may be additional victims who have been brought from Mexico under false pretenses. They are asking for those victims to come forward.
“Any victims who are hesitant to come forward due to immigration status concerns should be aware that they have the right to support and protection under Canadian law,” police said.
“Labour trafficking often occurs in situations where a victim comes to Canada with the promise of a well-paying job, education or other opportunities. Traffickers often use violence, threats, lies or other forms of coercion to force victims to work excessively long hours under unsafe and poor conditions for little or no money.”
Victims are asked to contact the Canadian Human Trafficking hotline at 1-833-900-1010. The hotline is described to be a non-judgemental, confidential, multilingual, 24/7 service used to connect human trafficking victims and survivors with long-term supports.
Police are also asking anyone with information or anyone who may have been a victim in this case to contact their human trafficking department at 1-866-8765423, ext. 6800, or call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Maple Leafs fall to Bruins in Game 3, trail series 2-1
Brad Marchand scored twice, including the winner in the third period, and added an assist as the Boston Bruins downed the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2 to take a 2-1 lead in their first-round playoff series Wednesday
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
New Indigenous loan guarantee program a 'really big deal,' Freeland says at Toronto conference
Canada's Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland was among the 1,700 delegates attending the two-day First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC) conference that concluded Tuesday in Toronto.
'Life was not fair to him': Daughter of N.B. man exonerated of murder remembers him as a kind soul
The daughter of a New Brunswick man recently exonerated from murder, is remembering her father as somebody who, despite a wrongful conviction, never became bitter or angry.