Police in Nova Scotia charged two people with human trafficking and financial crimes. The investigation uncovered direct connections to New Brunswick and Ontario. If you live in Saint John, this regional crime network hits close to home.

Investigators say the operation began in 2023 and involved multiple victims in Nova Scotia. Officers with the human trafficking unit discovered the network funnelled more than $500,000 in suspected crime proceeds through casinos.

Traffic Stop Leads to Arrests

Earlier this month, police arrested two suspects during a traffic stop near Milford, located north of Halifax. A 49 year old man from Porters Lake faces 13 charges. These charges include trafficking in persons and laundering proceeds of crime. A 43 year old woman from Chester Basin also faces human trafficking charges.

Police Praise Victim Courage

Sgt. Jeff MacFarlane of the human trafficking unit emphasized the importance of community and victim support in taking down the network.

“Reducing the harm caused by human trafficking remains a priority for police and communities across Nova Scotia,” MacFarlane said. “Addressing this issue requires a united effort, and we recognize the strength and courage of the victims who came forward to support this investigation. Their cooperation helped dismantle a sex trafficking network and protect others from being victimized.”

You can read the original report from The Canadian Press for more details.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where did the arrests take place?

Police arrested the two suspects during a traffic stop near Milford, Nova Scotia.

How does this connect to New Brunswick?

Investigators found the human trafficking network operated across Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Ontario. The suspects allegedly laundered over $500,000 through casinos in these regions.

What charges do the suspects face?

The 49 year old man faces 13 charges including human trafficking and money laundering. The 43 year old woman faces human trafficking charges.