Police looking for more victims after busting trafficking ring
Posted Feb 6, 2020 12:38 pm.
Last Updated Feb 6, 2020 3:38 pm.
CALGARY (660 NEWS) – A victim of human trafficking has been found during a search of a Calgary home and police suspect there are others in the city.
Calgary police are releasing details about a joint human trafficking investigation with the Quebec Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force.
Since the summer of 2018, five people have been arrested with trafficking several women in the sex trade in and around Calgary.
Gach says they are looking for anyone who had contact with the suspects. This was a trans-national ring. One offender has a charge of trafficking someone under the age of 18. pic.twitter.com/tAndmfTjpr
— Tom Ross (@Tommy_Slick) February 6, 2020
The lengthy investigation began in 2018 after Quebec police found trafficking victims who were from Calgary.
Then in July of that year, Calgary police arrested a man following a search of a home, where they also found one victim of trafficking, drugs, a handgun and $5,000 cash.
Other suspects were arrested in Calgary in August of 2018 and November of 2019.
With help from officers in Quebec, two other men believed to be connected to this case were also arrested.
The two men in Quebec are already serving sentences for trafficking, but they will be sent to Calgary to face these additional charges.
The five men face dozens of charges including trafficking persons, advertising sexual services and possessing illegal weapons.
One charge against a suspect is for trafficking persons under the age of 18, but police could not clarify how many underage victims are involved.
And the last one. Names are available on the police newsroom. If anyone has any info, contact CPS or Crime Stoppers. https://t.co/w86xpPNR5A https://t.co/klFYZRfWOK pic.twitter.com/GqfjNEOURR
— Tom Ross (@Tommy_Slick) February 6, 2020
Numerous victims were also saved as a result of the operation, and they are receiving support services.
Police believe two of the men interacted with other Albertans who have yet to report the crimes.
The suspects are identified as 34-year-old Vincent-Olivier Marchetrre, 29-year-old Antoni Proietti — both of Quebec — 28-year-old Hicham Moustaine, 28-year-old Sergei Dube-Cavalli, and 29-year-old Mikhail Kloubakov, from Calgary.
Police do not believe any other suspects are involved in the case.
If you believe you have been a victim of human trafficking you’re asked to call Calgary Police or Crime Stoppers.
