NEWS RELEASE
YORK REGIONAL POLICE
*************************
Investigators with the York Regional Police Major Crime Bureau - Human Trafficking Section have charged six people and located seven victims in connection with a human trafficking investigation dubbed Project Eonni.
The year-long investigation began in November 2020 after information led officers to believe that an organized group of suspects operating a company called Moon Waiting VIP was involved in human trafficking throughout the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Project Eonni began with information from the Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking (CCTEHT) and Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC).
On Nov. 3, 2021, York Regional Police, working with investigators with the Toronto Police Service, Peel Regional Police, the Ontario Provincial Police and the Canada Border Services Agency executed 20 search warrants at locations across the GTA, most of which were suspected of being sex trade operations.
Six people have been charged. Officers seized more than $4 million from accounts operated by the primary accused, approximately $3 million in illegal cannabis and 34 firearms with ammunition were seized for public safety. Seven victims have been located and were taken to safe locations where they have been connected with victim support services.
Investigators are releasing a photo of one accused as they believe he may be involved with other vulnerable women. They are asking for those victims to come forward. Any victims of human trafficking who are hesitant to come forward due to immigration status concerns should be aware that they have the right to support and protection under the laws in Canada.
Di Luan, 38, of Markham, alias names: Andy Luan, Vincent Luan, Chia Hao Cheng, Jia Hoa Zheng, was charged with:
- Trafficking in Persons
- Material Benefit from Trafficking in Persons
- Procuring x2
- Advertising Sexual Services
- Laundering Proceeds of Crime
- Careless Storage of a Firearm
- Fraud Over $5,000
- Possession of Proceeds of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000
Geoffrey Payumo, 51, of Scarborough, Jia Zhi Li, 47, of Markham, Ziyou Zhang, 28, female, of Markham and Harold Lai, 40, of Richmond Hill were charged with:
- Material Benefit from Trafficking in Persons
- Procuring
Jing Jin, 41, of Toronto was charged with:
- Possession of Cannabis for the Purpose of Distribution
*************************