Ontario Provincial Police say three alleged victims of human trafficking were rescued by Ottawa Police officers as part of a province-wide investigation dubbed Operation Northern Spotlight.
The seven-day investigation involved police from 45 municipalities across Ontario. It resulted in 15 arrests, with a total of 45 charges being laid.
In all, seven alleged victims were rescued, two of them children.
Of the seven alleged victims identified, OPP say:
The 15 accused individuals, who were not named in an initial press release from the OPP, are facing a long list of charges.
The OPP says charges include: Obtaining Sexual Services for Consideration, Failure to Comply with Condition of Undertaking or Recognizance, Forcible Confinement, Trafficking in Persons, Material Benefit - Trafficking, Material Benefit from Sexual Services, Procuring, Assault with a Weapon, Aggravated Assault, Assault Causing Bodily Harm, Assault, Pointing a Firearm, Possession of a Weapon for Dangerous Purpose, Criminal Harassment, Uttering Threats, Failing to report contrary to Christopher's Law (Sex offender Registry), Fail to Comply with SOIRA Order, Identity Fraud, Obstruct a Public Officer or Peace Officer, Possession of Property Obtained by Crime, Youth Criminal Justice Act: 137 - Fail to Comply with Sentence or Disposition.