Police have seized a handgun and charged a Brampton man following a human trafficking bust at an Ontario hotel. (Photo: London Police Service)<\/p>\n
Police have seized a handgun and charged a Brampton man following a human trafficking bust at an Ontario hotel.<\/p>\n
The arrest happened on Friday when officers with the London Police Service Human Trafficking Unit were doing routine outreach and safety checks at a hotel in the Exeter Road area.<\/p>\n
Police say officers identified an online ad with possible third\u2011party involvement, and arranged to meet with the female advertiser.<\/p>\n
Officers identified a male believed to be facilitating the sexual services exiting the hotel, but the suspect fled back into the hotel when approached by investigators, police say.<\/p>\n
The suspect was seen ditching an item in a hallway, which police say was a loaded Glock 22 handgun. Two cellular phones and a quantity of Canadian currency were also seized as part of the investigation, police say.<\/p>\n
Police say the 24-year-old male suspect from Brampton was arrested, and did not possess a valid licence or registration for the firearm. Officers say the man was facilitating the female\u2019s activities within the sex trade, and that the victim did not sustain any physical injuries.<\/p>\n
London police say Elijah Clarke, 24, of Brampton, has been charged with multiple offences including unauthorized possession of a firearm, unauthorized possession of a prohibited or restricted weapon, procuring \/ exercising control, material benefit from sexual services, and advertising another person\u2019s sexual services.<\/p>\n
Anyone with information about this incident can contact the London Police Service at 519-661-5670. Anonymous tips may also be provided to Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-8477 or visiting www.ontariocrimestoppers.ca<\/a>.<\/p>\n When you contact Crime Stoppers you stay anonymous, never have to testify, and could receive a $2,000 reward.<\/p>\n