Two London, Ont. men charged after 31 people rescued from human trafficking ring
CBC
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) have arrested two London, Ont. men in connection with a human trafficking ring that was operating across southwestern Ontario.
Police say 31 victims were rescued after searches at multiple businesses and residences across southwestern Ontario on June 8.
The suspects had been advertising internationally for labourers to work in Canada, RCMP said on Tuesday. When they arrived, the labourers were placed at local businesses across the region. Their travel documents were allegedly taken from them, they were paid substandard wages and their living conditions bordered on inhumane.
An investigation into the ring, called OExplorer, began in early 2023 with the RCMP working alongside the London Police Service and CBSA Criminal Investigations Sections in both southern Ontario and Greater Toronto Area regions.
Eduardo Silva Cardozo, 43, is facing charges related to human trafficking including uttering threats and withholding documents.
Herbert Navarrete Santos, 42, is facing similar charges and an additional charge for sexual assault.
Both men were held in custody after their initial arrest, said RCMP. They are set to appear in a London court later this month.
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