2 from Oakville, Ont., arrested after Winnipeg woman trafficked into sex trade, Peel police say

A Winnipeg woman was exploited and controlled by two people whobrought her to southern Ontario to work as an escort, Peel Regional Police say.

In August 2022, a woman came forward to Winnipeg police and said a man and woman convinced her to go to the Peel area, which includes Mississauga and Brampton, Ont., to work as an escort, Peel police said in a news release last Friday.

Once she arrived in Ontario,they allegedly exploited her and controlled her life, while profiting financially, police said.

Police believe the woman had been under control of the two accusedfor about a week, said Peel police spokesperson Const. Sarah Patten. The womanreported this to Winnipeg police after she returned to her home city, Patten said, adding the two police forcescollaborated.

Patten said she couldn't comment on whetherthe victim was injured and where she is now due to privacy issues.

On Wednesday, May 24, a 39-year-old man from Oakville was arrested.The next day, a 23-year-old woman turned herself into police.

They are both charged with a number of crimes, including human trafficking, advertising sexual services andexercising control, direction or influence.

The manwas held in custodyfor a bail hearing and the woman was released to attend court at a later date.

Investigators believe there may be additional victims, particularly in the Greater Toronto Area, and urgethem to contact police at 905-453-2121, extension 3555.