The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has laid 21 charges against an Orillia resident in a labour human trafficking investigation. Fifteen victims were identified and provided support.
The investigation, named Project SASSAFRAS, began on November 21, 2022, when the OPP received a tip that a group of individuals were alleged to be victims of labour abuse. The Criminal Investigation Branch, with support from the Provincial Human Trafficking Intelligence-led Joint Forces Strategy (IJFS), uncovered that the accused promised several individuals a job at his subcontracting company in Orillia. The workers were promised work permits, training, housing and a good salary.
Two residences were offered to the workers. The sleeping conditions were dirty and inadequate, with multiple individuals sleeping in small spaces or sharing a bed. The workers received partial or, in some cases, no payment for their work. The accused threatened the workers that if they went to the authorities they would be arrested or deported. He also threatened their families’ safety.
As a result of the investigation, Juan “Jamie” RODRIGUEZ-MIRANDA, 59 years old of Orillia, was arrested on March 15, 2023, and charged with 11 counts of human trafficking of persons, as per Section 279.01 of the Criminal Code, and 10 counts of material benefits in trafficking of persons, as per Section 279.02 of the Criminal Code. The accused remains in custody pending a bail hearing.
Fifteen victims, ranging from 21 to 54 years old, were identified. The victims remain supported through the OPP IJFS Victim Specialist and Simcoe Muskoka and Toronto Victims’ Services. Assistance was also provided by the Ministry of Labour, the Mexican Consulate, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC), and the Neighbourhood Organization. The investigation remains ongoing and it is expected that there are more victims who have yet to come forward.
If you suspect or are aware of any human trafficking activity, call your local police. The Mexican Consulate has an emergency number available at 647-448-1329 and the Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking has resources available for victims and survivors of human trafficking on their website at canadiancentretoendhumantrafficking.ca. A national hotline is also available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-833-900-1010.
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Re Human Trafficking Case
This is so, so very sad and worrisome.
I do hope that the victims have access to the supports for as long as necessary, that supports are easily accessible (i.e within reasonable proximity to their residence and if not, have access to free transportation) and, the support systems including transportation should be FREE. If the victims are employed, they need to be given the time off work with pay, to attend counselling etc. sessions. Quite simply, that’s the right thing to do.
As for the the accused, let’s hope that the investigation is swift and thorough. I wouldn’t want to be on that jury.
Human trafficking, whether for labour and/or sex/selling of babies or children is a huge societal problem that seems to be frequently swept under the rug. Why?