Woman charged after allegedly recruiting Mexican nationals to Canada and stealing their wages
A 40-year-old woman is facing human traffic charges after she allegedly recruited Mexican nationals to come to Canada for work and then took a "significant" cut of their wages.
Members of the Toronto Police Service Human Trafficking Enforcement Team began an investigation into the matter in April.
Police say that investigators believe that the accused would recruit Mexican nationals “with the promise of attending Canada for work and housing” but would then confiscate their travel documents and lodge them in several properties.
“She exploited the victims' immigration status in Canada. She facilitated the victims' employment and significantly garnished their wages,” police alleged in a news release issued on Monday afternoon.
Police say that the woman assaulted and threatened at least one of the victims.
- Download our app to get local alerts to your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
She was arrested on July 6 following the execution of two search warrants in the York Mills Road and Bayview Avenue area and the Birchmount Road and Lawrence Avenue area.
Luz Adriana Gonzalez Valbuena, 40, of Toronto, is facing 12 charges, including three counts of trafficking in persons.
Police say that investigators have made contact with more than 40 potential witnesses and victims so far but remain concerned there could still be additional victims out there.
“Police would like to encourage all affected individuals to come forward and report Human Trafficking occurrences to police. We want to make sure that everyone has access to support services and an exit strategy, regardless of their decision to proceed criminally,” the news release states.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
'Sophisticated' cyberattacks detected on B.C. government networks, premier says
There has been a "sophisticated" cybersecurity breach detected on B.C. government networks, Premier David Eby confirmed Wednesday evening.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs to start for Canucks in Game 1 vs. Oilers
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs will start in net for the Canucks as Vancouver kicks off a second-round series against the Edmonton Oilers Wednesday night.
Nijjar murder suspect says he had Canadian study permit in immigration firm's video
One of the Indian nationals accused of murdering British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar says in a social media video that he received a Canadian study permit with the help of an Indian immigration consultancy.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.