Trial expected for 6 accused in Innisfil, Ont., human and drug trafficking ring
Article content
A case involving five men and one woman accused by South Simcoe Police as being involved in a human and drug trafficking ring is expected to go to trial soon.
Lawyers for the accused appeared in a virtual courtroom last Friday for a judicial pre-trial, CTV News Barrie reported.
tap here to see other videos from our team.
Trial expected for 6 accused in Innisfil, Ont., human and drug trafficking ring Back to video
tap here to see other videos from our team.
Three of the accused — Jashyna Singh, 29, of Brampton, and Oneil Hopkinson, 37, and Tyrone Dias, 38, both of Innisfil — face human trafficking charges, while the others — Hung Lam, 54, of Wasaga Beach, Joseph Carvalho, 44, of Newmarket, and Edgar Martinez, 36, of Innisfil — remain out on bail. They’re accused of human trafficking charges including advertising, materially benefiting from and procuring persons for trafficking.
Additionally, Hopkinson is accused of sexually assaulting a woman police alleged was being pimped out of a home where investigators carried out a raid in November 2023.
None of the allegations against any of the accused have been tested in court.
Another man accused of drug trafficking and possession, Royden Reis, had his charges withdrawn by the Crown in February in Barrie.
South Simcoe Police said three women were safely removed from the Innisfil home. Cops alleged $30,000 worth of drugs was recovered including fentanyl, crystal meth, cocaine and pills believed to be oxycodone.
Police said investigators received an initial report of a woman being held captive in an Innisfil home in May 2023 for the purpose of providing sexual services.
The matter goes back to court in two weeks at which time trial dates are expected to be put on the record.
RECOMMENDED VIDEO
tap here to see other videos from our team.
Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.