A York Region resident is one of several people charged with human trafficking and drug-related offences in a Peel Regional Police vice unit operation dubbed Project Pacific.
Members of a criminal network had been operating several illegal bawdy houses in Mississauga, exploiting victims of Chinese-descent within the sex trade, Peel police said in a news release.
"These vulnerable individuals were being exploited and victimized as a result of their limited ability to monetarily sustain themselves. Investigators identified several members of this criminal network benefiting financially from the exploitation of these victims," the release states.
Project Pacific resulted in identifying and supporting 13 human trafficking survivors, police said.
In March, search warrants were executed in Mississauga, Milton and Markham, resulting in two arrests.
The warrants also resulted in the seizure of Canadian, U.S. and other denominations of currency, multiple cellphones, electronic storage devices, and a quantity of drugs, police said.
Leung Ngai, a 59-year-old female from Milton, is alleged to have committed the following criminal offences:
- Exercise Control, Direction or Influence
- Derive Material Benefit from Sexual Service x 3
- Communicate for the Purpose for Consideration for Sexual Service
- Trafficking a Controlled Substance – Cocaine x 4
- Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking – Cocaine x 2
Yuan Yuan Zhang, a 39-year-old female from Markham, is alleged to have committed the following criminal offences:
- Communicate for the Purpose for Consideration for Sexual Service x 6
On April 5, search warrants were executed on five residences and two vehicles, resulting in further arrests.
The search warrants resulted in the seizure of Canadian currency and a quantity of drugs, police said.
Yu-Hobley Lan, a 63-year-old female from Mississauga, is alleged to have committed the following criminal offences:
- Exercise Control, Direction or Influence
- Derive Material Benefit from Sexual Service x 3
- Possession of a Controlled Substance – Cocaine
Kwai Lin Tso, a 55-year-old female from Mississauga, is alleged to have committed the following criminal offences:
- Communicate for the Purpose for Consideration for Sexual Service
- Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking – Cocaine
All parties were held for a bail hearing and appeared at the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton.
On April 14, Eamonn Handrahan, a 71-year-old male from Mississauga, is alleged to have committed the following criminal offence:
- Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking – Cocaine
“Human trafficking is something that can happen anywhere, and in many cases, the victims don’t know they’re being exploited or are too afraid to come forward. We will not tolerate the victimization of vulnerable populations in our community," said the Deputy Chief of Investigative and Emergency Services Command for Peel Police, Nick Milinovich.
Project Pacific received funding from the Government of Ontario. Criminal Intelligence Service Ontario, Canada Border Services Agency, FINTRAC, the OPP, York Regional Police Service and Mississauga Compliance and Licensing Enforcement were also involved.
Investigators believe there may be more victims and witnesses and urged anyone with information to contact Peel Regional Police at 905-453-3311, ext. 3555. Information may be left anonymously at the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-833-900-1010 or Peel Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or by visiting www.peelcrimestoppers.ca
None of the allegations have been tested in court and the accused are considered innocent unless proven guilty.
