![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/TroubadourSearchWarrants.jpg\")
Halton police executed criminal code search warrants in the \u2018Project Troubadour\u2019 investigation on July 13, 2026. (Photo Courtesy of Halton Regional Police Service)<\/p>\nNine people are facing a combined 85 criminal charges following what Halton police are calling the largest human trafficking investigation in the service\u2019s history.<\/p>\n
The investigation, dubbed Project Troubadour, began in September of last year when a female came forward to police.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was the mental toughness of a survivor that broke this case wide open and in liberating herself, she\u2019s liberating others,\u201d says Sup. Dave Costantino with the Halton Regional Police Service.<\/p>\n
Detectives say the woman who came forward had been trafficked for 15 years.<\/p>\n
Following a 10-month-long probe, 12 victims were identified who were allegedly subjected to coercion, commercial sexual exploitation and psychological harm across the Greater Toronto Area.<\/p>\n
Police say that the victims were \u201cbeing trafficked across the country,\u201d including in British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario. But, authorities say they believe the victims could have been trafficked in other provinces as well.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Investigators say the victims range in age from 18 to 34 and they were being advertised for sexual services online.<\/p>\n
Halton police worked with officers in Hamilton, Niagara, Peel, Toronto, London, Guelph and Waterloo, Ontario Provincial Police and Canada Border Services Agency in the investigation.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Support also came from the Criminal Intelligence Service Ontario and organizations including the Elizabeth Fry Society of Peel Halton and the Sexual Assault and Violence Intervention Services.<\/p>\n
Police say search warrants executed at 10 properties in mid-July \u2013 from Burlington to Mississauga and Milton \u2013 led to the seizure of luxury vehicles, drugs, about $30,000 in cash and an estimated $450,000 worth of high-end jewelry.<\/p>\n
Halton police executed criminal code search warrants in the \u2018Project Troubadour\u2019 investigation on July 13, 2026. (Photo Courtesy of Halton Regional Police Service)<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Project-Troubadour-seized-vehicles-and-jewelry.jpg\")
Some of the items seized in Halton police\u2019s \u2018Project Troubadour\u2019 investigation are pictured. (Photo Courtesy of Halton Regional Police Service)<\/p>\n
The nine accused are from Burlington, Milton, Mississauga and Toronto, and were all held in custody pending bail hearings. Four of the individuals arrested are women.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Project-Troubadour-suspects-1.jpg\")
Eight suspects in a 2025-26 Halton police human trafficking investigation named Project Troubadour are pictured. (Photo Courtesy of Halton Regional Police Service)<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
The individuals arrested and charged are:\u00a0<\/p>\n
Omar Brooks, 40, Michelle Dimarco, 33, Merlyn Brooks, 74, Malinda Brooks, 45, and Malisha Brooks, 45, all of Burlington;\u00a0
\nChristian Collins, 31, of Milton;\u00a0
\nJaidis Brooks-Reynolds, 26, and Nicholas Bennett, 32, of Mississauga; and
\nJohnathan Green, 40, of Toronto.<\/p>\n
Charges range from trafficking in persons to possession for the purpose of trafficking, exercising control, laundering proceeds of crime and advertising sexual services.<\/p>\n
The names of the victims are being withheld for their safety.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe victims have suffered a great deal,\u201d a police spokesman said.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur priority is not only to hold traffickers accountable, but to ensure survivors know they are not alone and that our service, together with our community partners, is committed to helping them find safety, support, and hope,\u201d said Halton Police Supt. David Costantini, Commander, Regional Investigative Services.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Halton police say that they \u201cbelieve there are additional victims,\u201d and that more charges are expected.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Anyone with information, or anyone who has been victimized by the accused individuals is asked to contact the HRPS Human Trafficking Unit at 905-825-4747 ext. 5241.<\/p>\n
Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Halton Crime Stoppers<\/a>\u00a0at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).<\/p>\n If there is immediate danger or if you suspect someone is being trafficked, call 911 or the Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline<\/a>\u00a0at 1-833-900-1010.<\/p>\n