Ontario RCMP say six people charged with human trafficking

Six people, including five from Hamilton, have been charged in a RCMP and CBSA investigation into human trafficking.

Police allege they brought workers from Mexico into Canada as visitors and then put them to work in the Hamilton-Niagara region through employment agencies they operated.

A joint investigation by Mounties and the Canada Border Services Agency says these workers were being exploited.

RCMP say in searches conducted in July and September of 2019, police found about 80 foreign nationals living in Hamilton and Milton in places infested with bed bugs, cockroaches and other vermin.

Investigators say some of those employment agencies included Nora Services, Trillium Management and Bryan Enterprise Agency.

In partnership with the @RCMPONT, 6 have been arrested & a large human trafficking network has been dismantled.
5 were residents of #HamOnt.
This shows effectiveness when partnering with other agencies to combat crime & ensure the safety of #HamOnt. #TogetherStrongerSafer https://t.co/IwiAIoUES3

— Hamilton Police (@HamiltonPolice) February 10, 2021

Christian Vitela, 33, from Milton, was charged with nine counts of human trafficking and material benefit-trafficking.

Mario Roca Morales, 47, from Hamilton, was charged with eight counts of human trafficking and material benefit-trafficking.

Cheang Kim, 60, from Hamilton, was charged with three counts of human trafficking and material benefit-trafficking.

Miurel Bracamonte, 43, from Hamilton, was charged with four counts of human trafficking and material benefit-trafficking.

Nora Rivera Franco, 36, from Hamilton, was charged with five counts of human trafficking and material benefit-trafficking

Myriam Vitela, 55, from Hamilton, was charged with five counts of human trafficking and material benefit-trafficking.

The accused are set to appear in Hamilton court on Mar. 8.

The RCMP and CBSA say their investigation continues and further charges are pending.