OPP have completed phase two of ‘Operation Northern Spotlight,’ an initiative to reduce human trafficking nationwide.
26 police forces from around the country were involved in tracking down suspects in the sex trade who were being held against their will.
Nine people were charged with 33 different offences, and were arrested over a two day period.
In the raids, 18 people were freed from working in the sex trade against their will, or as a minor.
More than 200 people were also provided with counselling information.
Barrie Police was one of the detachments that participated in this phase of Operation Northern Spotlight.
Chief Kimberly Greenwood says Barrie Police are “committed to fighting human trafficking through intelligence based initiatives” and are committed to helping victims of the illegal sex trade.
The first phase of the operation, which was completed in January 2014, focused on interviewing hundreds of women at hotels and motels in 30 cities across the country.
