Nine Arrested, 85 Charges Laid in Halton Police’s Largest Human Trafficking Case

Halton Regional Police have arrested nine people and laid 85 criminal charges following a 10-month, multi-jurisdictional investigation described as the largest human trafficking case in the service’s history.

The investigation, known as Project Troubadour, began in September 2025 after a woman approached police and reported being exploited in the Greater Toronto Area. Investigators allege that the accused used coercion, deception, manipulation and psychological harm to control or influence their victims.

Police said the investigation identified 12 victims who had allegedly been subjected to commercial sexual exploitation over an extended period.

On July 13, officers executed 10 search warrants at residences across the GTA. The operation was conducted with assistance from several police services and government agencies, including Peel Regional Police, the Ontario Provincial Police and Criminal Intelligence Service Ontario.

Items seized during the searches included a Lamborghini Urus, a Mercedes-Benz S550, a Mercedes-Benz AMG GT, two Sea-Doo GTR watercraft, electronic devices and quantities of cocaine, cannabis, oxycodone and psilocybin.

Police also recovered approximately $30,000 in Canadian and U.S. currency and high-end jewelry estimated to be worth about $450,000.

The charges vary among the accused and include trafficking in persons, receiving a material benefit from trafficking, exercising control for the purpose of providing sexual services, laundering proceeds of crime, possession of property obtained by crime, assault, uttering threats and drug-related offences.

All nine accused were held in custody pending their respective bail hearings in Milton. The allegations have not been proven in court.

Deputy Chief Jeff Hill said human trafficking exploits vulnerable people for profit, supports organized crime and causes lasting physical and psychological harm. He added that police remain committed to supporting survivors and disrupting the criminal networks responsible.

Police believe there may be additional victims and said Project Troubadour remains active, with further charges expected.

Anyone with information, or anyone who believes they were victimized by one of the accused, is asked to contact the Halton police Human Trafficking Unit at 905-825-4747, ext. 5241. Anonymous information may also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.