PROJECT CONVALESCE: Cops smash human-trafficking ring
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Dozens of suspects face more than 300 charges stemming from a year-long human trafficking investigation into a criminal organization that allegedly forced women into the sex trade — using manipulation, threats and violence — and saw them pimped out across Canada.
York Regional Police say the multi-provincial Project Convalesce was launched when two woman reached out for help after fleeing the grasp of the organization’s accused “kingpin” only to be tracked down at a Vaughan hotel where they were working independently.
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The two women feared for their safety and had reached “the end of their rope” when they finally called police, Insp. Thai Truong said Wednesday at a news conference in Aurora.
“At the time when officers arrived, they weren’t fully cooperative and they weren’t fully telling us what was going on,” he said. “Our human trafficking investigators became engaged subsequently following that interaction and in the following days to come we had cooperation from one of the females.”
Investigators then identified Jonathan Nyangwila, 28, of Markham, as the alleged ringleader of a sophisticated crime group that pimped women out in provinces from Quebec to British Columbia.
Truong said investigators have since identified 45 women thought to have been working for the organization, but only 12 of them have so far confirmed their involvement to police.
However, he added it’s believed there may be many other women who have been victimized.
“These victims endured violent assaults, sexual assaults and other degrading circumstances as they were controlled by these violent criminals,” said Deputy Chief Brian Bigras.
Truong said the women — ranging in age from 20 to mid-30s —brought in $1,000 a day, on average, as they performed sex acts seven days a week and handed over all their earnings.
“They were being forced to work while they’re on their menstrual cycle,” he said.
Truong said none of the alleged victims identified so far are underage, but he refused to comment on whether any of the women were underage when they were initially forced into the sex trade.
The investigation, which involved cops from services throughout the GTA and in other provinces, also determined the organization was allegedly involved in fraudulent activity across the country.
Truong alleged they made fake identifications to purchase pre-paid credit cards that were used to pay for human trafficking expenses such as hotels, travel and food.
He said the accused kingpin was arrested in July and allegedly continued to run the organization from jail.
Nyangwila, aka Zoulou or Skulls, faces dozens of charges including instructing the commission of an offence for a criminal organization, participating in the activities of a criminal organization, trafficking in persons, fraud, uttering threats and firearms offences.
Another 30 suspects have been arrested for related offences, including three of Nyangwila’s brothers — Adrien Nyangwila, 30, aka Shawn; Motumbo Nyangwila, 34, aka Jay; Ivan Nyangwila, 32, aka Shawn King.
Other suspects are still sought and police expect to lay more charges.
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