Two Toronto-area men charged with human trafficking in Nova Scotia
HALIFAX — Two Toronto-area men have been charged in an 18-month, seven-province investigation into a human trafficking ring that allegedly forced ”numerous” Nova Scotia women into the sex trade across Canada.
The arrests of Malachi Almonzo Downey, 31, and Sanderico Rekel Beals, 29, follow earlier charges against Lorenzo Trevor Thomas, and police say all three are associated with a Halifax-area street gang known as North Preston’s Finest.
“The investigation started as a result of information received that men who were originally from Nova Scotia were in Ontario and were trafficking in women also from Nova Scotia, trafficking and exploiting them across country in the sex trade,” RCMP Supt. Alfredo Bangloy said.
“We’ve identified a number of victims, and the investigation remains fluid and it’s our hope that additional victims or their families and loved ones will come forward with information.”