Niagara police looking for victims, survivors following arrests in human trafficking case

Niagara police say they are looking for victims, survivors and witnesses in a human trafficking case.

Police said in a news release on Saturday that they started an investigation in August involving the alleged trafficking of a woman in the cities of Niagara Falls and Toronto.

Two suspects, a man, 47, and a woman, 31, were identified and arrested Oct. 8. Both were from St. Catharines.

Police said they were both charged with one count each of human trafficking and "receiving material benefit."

According to police, the 47-year-old was a member of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club. He was also charged with two counts of sexual assault.

A Canada-wide warrant was issued for a third suspect, police said.

A 36-year-old man from B.C. was arrested in that province on April 1, Niagara police said, with help from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).

The man was charged with sexual assault, assault and "uttering threats to cause death," and was escorted to Ontario.

Police said "due to the nature of the investigation," they believe there are more witnesses and are "urging them to come forward."

"Detectives also believe that there may be additional victims and/or survivors and are requesting that they contact police," police said.

Those with information can contact police by calling 905-688-4111, extension 1009548 or provide information anonymously through Crime Stoppers of Niagara.

If you or someone you know may be a victim of human trafficking, you can call Canada's national human trafficking hotline at 1-833-900-1010.