Oakville restaurant human trafficking investigation leads to two arrests

The franchise owner and head chef of August 8 in Oakville have been arrested following a labour trafficking investigation.

Halton police received a tip in March that three Mexican men were being exploited through their employment at the sushi restaurant at 280 North Service Rd. West.

Search warrants were carried out at the restaurant and at two Oakville residences which resulted in the seizure of several related items.

Officers discovered people living in cramped, crowded and unsanitary conditions. The people described being controlled to the point of feeling powerless, dependent and sexually violated. Additional victims came forward as a result of the investigation.

On June 11, 46-year-old franchise owner Rong Xi Yu of Oakville was charged with the following offences:

• Trafficking in Persons (three counts)
• Receive Material Benefit (three counts)
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime – over $5,000
• Unauthorized Employment of Foreign National – Immigration Refugee Protection Act (six counts)

On the same day, 27-year-old head chef Wenjun Li of Oakville was arrested and charged with:

• Trafficking in Persons (three counts)
• Receive Material Benefit (three counts)
• Withhold or Destroy Identity Documents (three counts)
• Sexual Assault (three counts)
• Unauthorized Employment of Foreign National – Immigration Refugee Protection Act (six counts)

Police believe there may be additional victims and are requesting anyone who may have information to contact Detective Scott Heyerman of the Human Trafficking Unit at 905-825-4747, ext. 4973.

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