Niagara police charge teen in ongoing human trafficking case

Niagara police have charged an 18-year-old man from Port Colborne in connection with an ongoing investigation into the trafficking of a woman in the Niagara region.

On Saturday, officers arrested Chaundre Richards at the Montreal-Trudeau International Airport.

Richards is facing five charges including trafficking in persons and forced marriage.

In May, police charged two other suspects with human trafficking as part of this ongoing investigation. The suspects are 26-year-old Anshul of London, Ont. and 29-year-old Joshua Shirley of St. Catharines.

Detectives believe that there may be other victims and are asking anyone who believes they may be a victim or knows of anyone who has had an interaction with Richards to contact them at 905-688-4111, option 3, ext. 1029548.

Police believe Richards also went by the name “Saint” and was a known event promoter in southern Ontario.

Members of the community who wish to provide information anonymously can contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).

READ MORE: Second suspect charged in Niagara human trafficking investigation