Halton Hills man arrested following labour trafficking investigation

The Halton Regional Police Service have arrested a man from Halton Hills after a labour trafficking investigation.

Police say they received information in the middle of March that Mexican nationals were being exploited for labour throughout the Halton Region and GTA.

As a result, an investigation was initiated in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour.

On Thursday, 37-year-old Baryali Rahim Qul of Halton Hills was arrested and charged with five counts of trafficking in persons, five counts of material benefit from trafficking in persons and three counts of withhold identity document.

Officers seized several items after executing search warrants at a Halton Hills residence and business.

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Investigators say the victims identified in this investigation were men who worked as general labourers for various projects including renovations, landscaping and roofing.

Rahim Qul was held in custody pending a bail hearing on Friday in Milton.

He also goes by “Bryan Hatt” and police believe there may be additional victims involved.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact Det. Const. Serafini at 905-825-4747 ext. 4974.

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