Nine charged in largest human trafficking investigation in Halton police history

Nine people are facing a combined 85 criminal charges following what Halton police are calling the largest human trafficking investigation in the service’s history.

The investigation, dubbed Project Troubadour, began in September of last year when a female came forward to police “as a victim of exploitation.”

Following a 10-month-long probe, 12 victims were identified who were allegedly subjected to coercion, commercial sexual exploitation and psychological harm across the Greater Toronto Area.

Police say that the victims were “being trafficked across the country,” including in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and other provinces.

Halton police worked with officers in Hamilton, Niagara, Peel, Toronto, London, Guelph and Waterloo, Ontario Provincial Police and Canada Border Services Agency in the investigation. 

Support also came from the Criminal Intelligence Service Ontario and organizations including the Elizabeth Fry Society of Peel Halton and the Sexual Assault and Violence Intervention Services.

Police say search warrants executed at 10 properties in mid-July – from Burlington to Mississauga and Milton – led to the seizure of luxury vehicles, drugs, about $30,000 in cash and an estimated $450,000 worth of high-end jewelry.

The nine accused are from Burlington, Milton, Mississauga and Toronto, and were all held in custody pending bail hearings. Four of the individuals arrested are women.

The individuals arrested and charged are: 

• Omar Brooks, 40, Michelle Dimarco, 33, Merlyn Brooks, 74, Malinda Brooks, 45, and Malisha Brooks, 45, all of Burlington; 
• Christian Collins, 31, of Milton; 
• Jaidis Brooks-Reynolds, 26, and Nicholas Bennett, 32, of Mississauga; and
• Johnathan Green, 40, of Toronto.

Charges range from trafficking in persons to possession for the purpose of trafficking, exercising control, laundering proceeds of crime and advertising sexual services.

The names of the victims are being withheld for their safety.

“The victims have suffered a great deal,” a police spokesman said.

“Our priority is not only to hold traffickers accountable, but to ensure survivors know they are not alone and that our service, together with our community partners, is committed to helping them find safety, support, and hope,” said Halton Police Supt. David Costantini, Commander, Regional Investigative Services. 

Halton police say that they “believe there are additional victims,” and that more charges are expected. 

Anyone with information, or anyone who has been victimized by the accused individuals is asked to contact the HRPS Human Trafficking Unit at 905-825-4747 ext. 5241.

Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Halton Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).

If there is immediate danger or if you suspect someone is being trafficked, call 911 or the Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-833-900-1010.

READ MORE: Hamilton police Core Patrol Unit, RAAM clinic address downtown open drug use