Canada Police Rescue 64 Mexican Human Trafficking Victims Found in Deplorable Conditions

Canada is looking into an international human trafficking ring that lures Mexicans with promises of a better life in the country but exploits them instead.

York Region police said Friday that they have managed to rescue 64 Mexican nationals from that trafficking ring. The Associated Press reported that Canadian police found the Mexican citizens in deplorable conditions.

The police also managed to arrest five members of that alleged criminal human trafficking organization, and they are now facing multiple charges. Police are still looking for two others.

Det. Sgt. Gary McBride noted that the Mexican nationals were promised good jobs in Canada. But instead, they are made to work in "deplorable" conditions and even threatened with deportation should they speak out.

These trafficked men and women were made to work at farms, factories, and warehouses and then taken to and from their workplaces on private buses.

Canada Police Describe Deplorable Living Conditions of Trafficked Mexican Workers

Gary McBride told reporters that they spoke with the Mexican workers, who told them there was overcrowding in their living spaces, with dozens of people sleeping on mattresses on the floor.

There were also reports of bug infestations where they lived and a lack of privacy. The Mexican laborers also reported to police that there were coercion and control methods to make sure they did not speak out.

These include a lack of freedom and isolation. They were also financially bound and routinely threatened. There were also reports of sexual assault.

The victims were a mix of men and women, some in their 20s, 30s, and 40s. They were all made to work long hours with very little pay. Many of them accepted these jobs to support family back home in Mexico.

As for their captors, three of the five people arrested were also Mexican citizens, while two were Canadians. According to Reuters, they are facing charges of human trafficking, sexual assault, and working for a criminal organization. Arrest warrants have been filed for the two other suspects.

Human Trafficking Mexican Victims Get Support From Police, Local Organizations

On the day the York Region police raided where the Mexican laborers lived, they set up a victim assistance center in partnership with a local faith organization.

They also brought in Spanish speakers to help "allay any fears" that the migrants might have, according to CTV News. All the migrants, except for 11 of them, accepted help from the center. Those who accepted this help were given clothing, food, and interim housing solutions.

The police themselves were also impacted by the rescue operation and raid, according to York Regional Police Deputy Chief Alvaro Almeida.

"The officers I think really saw themselves in the victims, especially our Spanish-speaking officers. They really saw themselves and their families in those types of situations as they were speaking with the victims and learning about where they have come from and how they were exploited in Canada," he said in a press conference.

Investigations are still ongoing. Thus, the Mexican laborers are still not being named because of this.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: 64 Mexican Nationals Rescued From Human Trafficking Ring Near Toronto, Police say - From CBC News