Five people were arrested on outstanding immigration warrants in connection to potential human trafficking last Friday morning.
Around 7 a.m. that day, Quinte West OPP stopped a mini-van during traffic patrolling on the 401 and found 14 people inside.
Five people, ranging in age from 23 to 59, were transported to the Quinte West OPP Detachment and were later turned over to the Canada Border Services Agency.
Police believe this incident involved individuals who were victims of human trafficking who were being exploited for forced labour.
Human trafficking involves recruiting, moving or holding victims to exploit them for profit, usually for sexual reasons or forced labour. Traffickers can control and pressure victims by force or through threats, including mental and emotional abuse and manipulation.
If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking, you can contact the Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-833-900-1010 or online on canadianhumantraffickinghotline.ca.
(BROCK ORMOND)
