Suspects linked to Innisfil human and drug trafficking ring appear in court
It's been four months since South Simcoe police investigators said three women were safely removed from a residence in Innisfil where it's believed they were being held to provide sexual services as part of a human and drug trafficking ring.
Seven people face charges in connection with the investigation. Five of the accused appeared in courtrooms in Barrie and Bradford on Thursday, including four who are out on bail.
Police said search warrants were executed at two residences in November, which resulted in the alleged seizure of $30,000 worth of drugs, including cocaine, crystal meth, and fentanyl, as part of its Project Chameleon investigation.
Police revealed investigators initially received a tip in May about a woman being sex-trafficked out of a home in Innisfil.
- Download the CTV News app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates sent to your email inbox
South Simcoe police said they identified three suspects accused of posting online ads for sexual services of several women from Bradford and Innisfil.
The accused in the case, Jashyna Singh and Oneil Hopkinson, remain behind bars along with Tyrone Dias. Their co-accused Hung Lam, Joseph Carvalho, Edgar Martinez and Royden Reis were granted bail and face sex and drug trafficking charges, including procuring, advertising, and materially benefitting from sexual services.
Police said Hopkinson is also accused of sexual assault.
While defence lawyers representing the seven accused review the evidence against their clients, Singh, Dias and Hopkinson seek bail.
The accused are all scheduled to make their next appearance in the coming weeks.
The allegations against each of the accused have not been tested in court.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Deadly six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 sparked by road rage incident
One person was killed in a six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 in Innisfil Friday evening.
'Of course, yes': Poland latest European country with interest in Canadian LNG
The President of Poland says his country would 'of course' be interested in purchasing Canadian liquefied natural gas if it were available, while the Canadian federal government has said it is 'not interested' in subsidizing future projects.
Dozens in Italy give a fascist salute on the anniversary of Mussolini's execution
Dozens of people raised their arms in the fascist salute and shouted a fascist chant during ceremonies Sunday to honor Italian dictator Benito Mussolini on the 79th anniversary of his execution.
Here's where Canadians are living abroad: report
A recent report sheds light on Canadians living abroad--estimated at around four million people in 2016—and the public policies that impact them.
Chants of 'shame on you' greet guests arriving for the annual White House correspondents' dinner
An election-year roast of U.S. President Joe Biden before journalists, celebrities and politicians at the annual White House correspondents' dinner Saturday.
Britney Spears settles long-running legal dispute with estranged father, finally bringing ultimate end to conservatorship
Britney Spears has reached a settlement with her estranged father more than two years after the court-ordered termination of a conservatorship that had given him control of her life, their attorneys said.
Invasive and toxic hammerhead worms make themselves at home in Ontario
Ontario is now home to an invasive and toxic worm species that can grow up to three feet long and can be dangerous to small animals and pets.
Health minister 'deeply appreciative' of doctors but capital gains changes here to stay
Health Minister Mark Holland says while he is 'deeply appreciative' of the work doctors in Canada do, the federal government has no plans to scrap the proposed capital gains tax changes outlined in the latest budget, despite opposition from the Canadian Medical Association.
A top Qatari official urges Israel and Hamas to do more to reach a ceasefire deal
A senior Qatari official has urged both Israel and Hamas to show "more commitment and more seriousness" in ceasefire negotiations in interviews with Israeli media, as pressure builds on both sides to move toward a deal that would set Israeli hostages free and bring potential respite in the nearly seven-month-long war in Gaza.