Five men are charged in what is believed to be the first charge for human trafficking laid in Yellowknife.
As a result of information received from the Saskatoon Police Service's vice unit on Nov. 30, RCMP here launched an investigation into the exploitation of an adult female as well as cocaine trafficking.
Photo courtesy of RCMP
Mounties show off their haul of cocaine, cash - believed to be the proceeds of crime, and a can of bear spry after they raided two downtown hotel rooms last Friday. Five out of town men are charged including one who faces was believed to be the first ever charge of human trafficking laid in Yellowknife.
“On Nov. 30, police made contact with the female who advised she had concerns for her safety. (RCMP) was able to locate her in Yellowknife and ensure her safety,” stated an RCMP news release. “(Yellowknife RCMP) assisted with the investigation into who was responsible for transporting the female to Yellowknife.
"It was learned that the suspects in the human trafficking investigation and others were involved in transporting cocaine into the community as well.”
Police raided two downtown hotel rooms on Friday, seizing cocaine, cash and a can of bear spray.
Police are not releasing the age of the woman or where she was brought from to Yellowknife. They say she is not from the NWT.
She was allegedly brought to Yellowknife to work the sex trade, stated RCMP Staff-Sgt. Dean Riou in an e-mail.
Human trafficking is covered in the kidnapping section of the Criminal Code of Canada and includes causing a person to be confined or imprisoned against their will.
It is also not clear whether the suspects are part of an organized gang.
Riou stated that to his knowledge, this is the first human trafficking charge ever laid in the city.
Jonathan Ouellet-Gendron, 29, of Montreal and Saskatoon is charged with human trafficking and possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.
Mohamed Mohamud Ali, 30, of Calgary is charged with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.
Quintin Glasgow-Brownlow, 18, of Edmonton is charged with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking and breaching his court conditions.
Mahmoud Taliani, 30, of Edmonton is charged with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.
Mohamed Abdula Ali, 30, of Edmonton is charged with obstructing a police officer and breaching his court conditions.
Four of the five suspects remain in custody while Abdula Ali was released by a justice of the peace.