3 3 | T h u rs d a y O c to b e r 2 6 , 2 0 1 7 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | w w w .in s id e h a lto n .c o m A dozen people face human trafficking charges by D avid Lea O akville Beaver S ta ff Twelve people are facing a variety of human trafficking charges follow ing coordinated investigations by 4 6 Ontario police services -- including Halton police. Police announced Wednesday, Oct. 18 that the joint effort, which was dubbed Operation Northern Spotlight and coordinated by On tario Provincial Police (O PP), saw officers across Ontario meet with in dividuals they suspected were being exploited to work in the sex trade. The officers provided contacts and information for communitybased support agencies and offered both immediate and future police assistance. During the seven-day operation 12 individuals were charged with 21 offences. Police said six people have been rescued from the sex trade including two individuals who were under the age of 16. "Human trafficking is a deplor able crime that threatens the safety, livelihood and dignity of those who are being exploited and abused," said OPP Deputy Commissioner Rick Barnum in a press release. "This is a complex issue that af fects some of the most vulnerable people in our society and does not recognize jurisdictional boundar ies. It is our duty to act decisively and effectively to recognize and pro tect these people from exploitation and it is imperative that we have a concentrated effort amongst all our partners to be effective." Operation Northern Spotlight is part of an international initiative led by the Federal Bureau of Investiga tions (FBI), the RCMP and police forces from Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Cambodia and the United Kingdom. Police have not named the 12 in dividuals they have charged and it is unclear whether any of the accused or the victims are from Halton. Charges against the 12 individu als include: · Advertising another person' s sexual services · Possession of property obtained by crime · Receiving material benefit from sexual services · Keeping a common bawdy house · Procuring material benefit · Trafficking in persons · Possession of a prohibited weap on · Procuring a person under 18 years of age · Receiving a material benefit from a person under the age of 18. Need New W indow s? 3245 Harvester Rd, Burlington 905-333-6705 Diamond Award Winner V isit th e ir s h o w ro o m to shop fo r W in d o w s & Doors. AW ARDS 2 0 I7 8 S ? T h e G e n u in e . T h e O r ig in a l. WE GET RESULTS... PERIOD! Need a Professional High Energy llftp R IM A ^ ^ II^ T K s A ll Overhead Door Co. of Hamilton-Burlington | lw ^ O U T T I O f ^ ^ TM E S S w l| Proud to be servicing the GTA for 32 years. 5450 Harvester Road, Burlington Overhead Door (Hamilton-Burlington) Ltd. DiAMOND AWARD FOR BEST iN FiTNESS Bootcamp-Nutrition-Yoga S T Q%>t>utg ®T l de*t» tugkfr w w w .highenergytransport.com Transport Inc. Thermacore® For premium construction and maximum thermal efficiency, a Thermacore® insulated steel door is the ideal choice. This series of doors feature our sandwich construction of steel-polyurethanesteel as well as between-section seals with thermal breaks to reduce air infiltration. With several panel designs to choose from, these doors offer design flexibility, durability and thermal efficiency that will help keep your home comfortable in cold or hot climates. 416-684-2419 Voted BEST MOVER in Oakville. Call to get a FREE QUOTE. A . AWARDS OkS? readerschoice.oakvillebeaver.com 905-333-1772 info@overheaddoorburlington.ca overheaddoorburlington.ca A M K I A I A I A T T The War Amps Key Tag Service It works! Nearly 13,000 sets of lost keys are returned every year. U T D n i A I / l R eam "Thank you for the safe return of my keys! My car fob would have cost $265 to replace,so I am especially happy to have it back."- Joffre Order key tags online. rimmings Ltd EXPOSED AGGREGATE (P eb b le) · DRIVEWAYS · FRENCH CURBS · PATIOS · STEPS · WALKWAYS · GARAGE FLOORS Visit our website to make a donation or for inform ation about leaving a g ift in your w ill. Charitable Registration No.: 13196 9628 RR0001 S TheWarAmps 1 800250-3030 waramps.ca ualityAt Its Best! cg ^ )u j Call F ern an d o FREE ESTIMATES 9 0 5 - 8 4 4 -5 5 1 8 1 - 8 8 8 - 94 4-5518 www.concretetrimmings.com