B.C. human trafficking suspect a no-show in court

A West Vancouver woman facing human trafficking and smuggling charges was respresented by her lawyer at a court appearance in Vancouver Wednesday morning.

Mumtaz Ladha, 55, was arrested at Vancouver International Airport on July 19 and charged with human trafficking and human smuggling.

Ladha was represented at B.C. Provincial Court by legal staff and the case was put over until Sept. 19. She has hired well-known criminal defense attorney Richard Peck to represent her.

A warrant for her arrest was issued in May, alleging Ladha lured a 21-year-old African woman to Canada on the promise of a job in a hair salon in 2008. But police allege Ladha instead forced the woman to work in her home 18 hours a day without pay, confiscated her passport and fed her table scraps.

The crown has asked for a publication ban in the trial to protect the identity of the victim. It is not clear why she is seeking to protect her identity.