The 31 workers rescued from a human trafficking ring operating in southwestern Ontario were allegedly subjected to near inhumane living conditions, substandard wages, and had their travel documents stolen.
The RCMP released new details Tuesday about the investigation that saw two London men charged. London police and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), assisted the RCMP in dismantling the labour trafficking ring through an investigation that began earlier this year.
Investigators found evidence that suspects were advertising internationally for labourers to come to Canada to work. Once here, the labourers were placed at businesses located across southwestern Ontario.
"It is alleged that their travel documents were taken from them, they were paid substandard wages, and their living conditions bordered on inhumane," the RCMP said in a statement.
Last Thursday, police searched multiple businesses and residences, including an apartment at 80 Highview Ave. E., in London. Thirty-one workers were freed at that time. A number of electronic devices, documents, and vehicles were seized and bank accounts related to the operation were frozen.
Eduardo Silva-Cardozo, 43, and Herbert Navarrete-Santos, 42, both from London, were arrested. They face a combined 16 charges including human trafficking, material benefit, possession of property obtained by crime, proceeds of crime, conspiracy to commit offences, and employing a foreign national contrary to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
Silva-Cardozo is also charged with withholding documents and uttering threats. Navarrete-Santos is charged with sexual assault.
Both men appeared in court on Monday via video line from the Elgin-Middlesex Detention Centre. They were remanded in custody. Silva-Cardozo will appear next on Tuesday, while Navarrete-Santos is scheduled to be back on Wednesday.
"Human trafficking is a crime that takes a terrible toll on the people who have been exploited," said Supt. Kevin McGonigal, the officer in charge of district transnational serious and organized crime. "It has been very satisfying to know that we were able to rescue these victims from a horrifying situation."
Anyone who suspects a person is being trafficked is advised to call the CBSA Border Watch Line at 1-888-502-9060.