Alberta’s law enforcement response team has charged a Montreal man with human trafficking, with help from the Calgary police.
ALERT’s investigation began in early March after a Crime Stoppers tip was submitted.
“As is the case with most of our investigations, our perpetrator appeared to have been travelling across Canada exploiting girls and woman for sex. For investigators, it becomes a challenge of reaching victims who may have left the area, but their information is valuable and we want to hear from them,” Staff Sgt. Matt Pumphrey said in a news release on Friday.
Two victims were identified during the investigation. Officers have also identified others, and encourage them to contact police.
Neylson Benoit-Ancion, 33, is charged with trafficking a person, obtaining material benefit from sexual services, procuring a person for sexual services and advertising a person for sexual services.
He was charged on March 12.
Benoit-Ancion was released from custody and is scheduled to appear in court on April 10.
The victims have been provided support resources through ALERT’s safety network co-ordinators. Survivors of human trafficking can call 211 for help.
Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact local police or Crime Stoppers online, by calling 1-800-222-8477 or by using the P3 Tips mobile app.