Cape Breton Connection In Nationwide Human Trafficking Bust
Cape Breton Regional Police and Eskasoni RCMP were involved in a nationwide crackdown on human trafficking that’s led to a spate of arrests across the country. An RCMP news release says that six women, ranging in age from 20 to 40, were interviewed in Cape Breton and were later given support services. They’re among 20 people who are believed to have been working in the sex industry against their will. Police say that six other victims were found in Halifax, and they ranged in age from 15 to 22. A total of 47 people have been arrested on a total of 135 charges, including alleged offences related to human trafficking, sexual assault and child pornography. The charges stem from Phase Four of Operation Northern Spotlight, which involved 40 police services, including the FBI in the U.S., and nearly 350 officers and support staff. The coordinated operation was conducted over a seven-day period earlier this month.