The Provincial Human Trafficking Intelligence-led Joint Forces Strategy (IJFS) has officially been launched and has already resulted in six arrests, with more than 50 charges laid.
Two human trafficking investigations, Project WRIGG and Project HARWICH, were highlighted to showcase the cooperative work of the IJFS and the complexity of human trafficking in Ontario.
On January 5, 2021, Kingston Police initiated an investigation into the sexual assault and trafficking of a female victim across Toronto, Montreal and Edmonton from December 2019 to January 2020. The investigation, named Project WRIGG, was managed under the IJFS, supported by the OPP Anti-Human Trafficking Unit and the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch. The investigation identified several potential victims residing throughout Ontario and Quebec.
As a result of the investigation, four suspects were arrested and charged with 43 Criminal Code offences in October 2021. Assistance was provided by police partners in Quebec, the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada and the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority.
In January 2021, the Barrie Police Service Human Trafficking Unit initiated an investigation into a male party suspected of trafficking an adult female in Barrie. The IJFS supported the investigation, named Project HARWICH. It was revealed that victims were trafficked out of hotels in the area by two individuals.
On May 19, 2021, the BPS Tactical Unit, BPS Crime Unit and IJFS members from BPS and OPP executed search warrants in Barrie. As a result of the investigation, two suspects were arrested, charged with eight Criminal Code offences and evidence was seized. One of the suspects was arrested on May 19, 2021 and the other was arrested on November 13, 2021.
If anyone has information on any of these investigations, please contact the OPP, BPS or Kingston Police. In an emergency, always call 9-1-1.
The Barrie Police Service is very proud to be participating in the Provincial Human Trafficking Intelligence-Led Joint Forces Strategy and looks forward to collectively working with law enforcement agencies to dismantle organizations that exploit vulnerable persons. It is through the cooperative efforts of IJFS members that we were able to rescue victims who were trafficked out of hotels and rental properties in Barrie and hold those responsible accountable.- Barrie Police Chief Kimberley Greenwood
#BarriePolice is proud to be part of this Intelligence-led Joint Forces Strategy to combat human trafficking in Ontario. https://t.co/PJvXFzWnyV
— Barrie Police (@BarriePolice) December 15, 2021