40-year-old woman arrested in connection with human trafficking investigation TorontoSays the police.
Toronto Police said that in April, officers began an investigation into an alleged human trafficking incident.
Police said a woman allegedly recruited Mexican nationals with the promise of work and housing in Canada.
Officials said when the men he recruited arrived in Toronto, he allegedly confiscated and withdrew their travel documents and lodged them in several homes across the city.
Police said the woman “exploited the immigration status of victims in Canada.”
Officials said it facilitated the employment of the victims and “significantly increased their wages.”
According to the police, the woman allegedly assaulted and threatened a victim.
Police said that on July 6, officers executed search warrants in the York Mills Road and Bayview Avenue area and in the Birchmount Road and Lawrence Avenue East areas.
As a result, 40-year-old Luz Adriana González Valbuena of Toronto was arrested, police said.
He has been charged with three counts of smuggling of persons, material gain and withholding of documents.
The accused has also been charged with possession of property obtained from the crime, threatening to kill and assault.
According to the police, he was produced in the court on July 7.
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“As a result of the investigation, the Toronto Police Service has contacted more than 40 potential witnesses and victims,” police said in a news release. “Through partnerships with Victim Services Toronto, FCJ Refugee Services and the Canada Border Services Agency, resources and support have been offered to potential witnesses and victims.”
Police said investigators are concerned there could be more victims.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the police or crime stoppers.