Grimsby, Ont., man arrested after police say 2 women trafficked, forced to 'constantly' work
Halton Regional Police Service made the arrest Tuesday following joint investigation
A Grimsby, Ont., man faces multiple human trafficking-related charges following a two-month-long investigation, police say.
Halton Regional Police Service said Wednesday they arrested the 45-year-old man and charged him with two counts each of human trafficking, advertise sexual services, assault, receive material benefit from human trafficking and receive material benefit from sexual services.
He was also charged for possessing fentanyl and cocaine, possession of property obtain by a crime over $5,000 and four counts of procuring, police said.
Under the criminal code, procuring means to recruit, hold, conceal or harbour a person who provides sexual services.
Police said two women were identified as having been trafficked by the accused "throughout Ontario during various periods in 2024 and 2025."
"During the course of the investigation it was found that the victims were forced to constantly work, and in fear for their personal safety as the accused used coercion, manipulation, physical violence, and psychological harm to maintain control and influence over the victims, while he benefitted financially from the exploitation," said Halton police in a news release.
The man was arrested Tuesday in Hamilton. Police said they executed search warrants in Hamilton and Grimsby.
Along with fentanyl and cocaine, police said they found $37,385, body armour and "additional human trafficking related items of evidentiary value."
There may be more victims: police
The investigation began in April and was carried out by the Halton police's human trafficking unit, Peel police and Ontario Provincial Police.
The man is known as "Dingo" and "Dante" and police said they believe there may be more victims.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police or Crime Stoppers.
Police say signs someone is being trafficked may include:
- Not being allowed to speak for themselves;
- Not having control of their own money or cellphone;
- Suddenly having a new or second cell phone with a secret number;
- Being controlled by others and escorted at all times;
- Not being allowed to contact family or friends;
- Withdrawing from family and friends;
- Providing rehearsed answers to casual questions;
- Being secretive about their activities;
- Showing signs of abuse, such as bruising, cigarette burns, fractures, etc.;
- Having a new boyfriend, girlfriend, or friend who they won't introduce to friends/family;
- And having new items like clothes or jewellery outside their financial means.
If anyone believes they or someone else is being trafficked, police say to call 911 or the confidential Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline.
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