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Most of those involved in Canada’s largest human trafficking case have now been deported to Hungary.
The case started in the Hamilton area. It is a crime you would not likely associate with the charming, affluent community of Ancaster. But it was in a new, luxurious home where 19 victims – all from Hungary – were held captive, forced to work as slaves for years.
The traffickers, all related by blood or marriage, recruited their poor, uneducated victims to Canada with promises of big money and a better life. But when they arrived here their passports were taken and they were forced to work from morning until night then held captive in a basement with little food and only a mattress on the floor to sleep on.
In 2009 one of the captives blew the whistle on the trafficking ring, resulting in the arrest of 22 people. Today federal public safety minister Steven Blaney announced that nine of those convicted have been deported back to Hungary.
“To date, Project OPAPA is the largest human trafficking case in Canada in terms of the number of human trafficking, specific conviction in a single case. This project resulted in the longest sentence in Canada to date for human trafficking for forced labour.”
“In charging and then removing those responsible from Canada we are taking strong action against the egregious crime of human trafficking, and we are sending a clear signal that there is no room in Canada for those who are committing the heinous and despicable crime of human trafficking.”
The case hit close to home for Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale MP David Sweet. “Well we had been involved in the human trafficking file for some time but it always changes when it’s next door as I mentioned I don’t think it was two kilometres from my house so it brings reality as to how ubiquitous this crime is and how much it’s happening right here in Canada and it’s one of the things through legislation we paid attention to and we provide the police forces with the resources they need to apprehend these people.”
Of the 20 people who were convicted and deported, only nine of the names have been released: Kristina Csaszar, Ferenc Domotor Jr, Gizella Domotor, Jozsef Domotor, Ference Karadi, Atilla Kolompar, Gizella Kolompar, Gyozo Papai, Janos Szanto.
At least one, considered the kingpin of the operation, remains in custody.
As for the victims of this horrific crime, officials say they have received support and are living in communities throughout southern Ontario.
Additional video: News Now coverage of the RCMP/CBSA news conference:
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