Dartmouth robbery investigation leads to human trafficking charges

Halifax Regional Police have charged two men with human trafficking after an investigation into a robbery that took place in Dartmouth, N.S., on Wednesday.

A weapon was used to rob a 16-year-old girl on Lakecrest Drive of some money and personal items. Four suspects, including another 16-year-old girl, fled in a van. They were arrested without incident in Bedford and an air gun was found in the vehicle.

Halifax Police Const.Diane Penfound said officers discovered during the investigation that there was more going on than just a robbery.

"All five people, including the victim, were known to each other, but two of the males were charged with human trafficking," said Penfound.

She said human trafficking means when people are controlled, forced or intimidated into various forms of sexual exploitation or prostitution.

19 charges laid

The four accused facea total of 19 charges:

• A 19-year old man faces eight charges, including human trafficking, procuring, advertising sexual services, robbery and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.
• A 30-year-old manfaces threecharges, including human trafficking and material benefits from trafficking.
• A 20-year-old manfaces threecharges, including robbery and breach of probation.
• A 16-year-old female faces fivecharges, including robbery, possession of property obtained by a crime and breach of probation.