Members of the Toronto Police Service’s Human Trafficking Enforcement Team began investigating the matter in April.
Police say investigators believe the defendants would recruit Mexican nationals “with the promise of coming to Canada for work and housing,” but then confiscate their travel documents and deposit them at multiple properties.
“He took advantage of the victims’ immigration status in Canada. He facilitated the employment of the victims and significantly garnished their wages,” police said in a press release issued Monday afternoon.
Police say the woman assaulted and threatened at least one of the victims.
He was arrested on July 6 after two search warrants were executed in the area of York Mills Road and Bayview Avenue and in the area of Birchmount Road and Lawrence Avenue.
Luz Adriana Gonzalez Valbuena, 40, of Toronto, faces 12 charges, including three counts of human trafficking.
Police say investigators have contacted more than 40 potential witnesses and victims so far, but remain concerned that there may be more victims out there.
“The police would like to encourage all affected individuals to come forward and report incidents of human trafficking to the police. We want to ensure that everyone has access to support services and an exit strategy, regardless of their decision to engage in criminal activity,” the press release states.
