Image: Tara Clow

Two Yarmouth men have been charged with sex and labour trafficking offences.

On June 9th, the Nova Scotia Human Trafficking Unit received a tip that a woman was being trafficked by a Yarmouth man. With this information, they started an investigation named Operation Homeward.

investigators determined that the man was involved with trafficking numerous victims, for both sex and labour, and found a second Yarmouth man involved.

The first man was already in custody on unrelated matters when charged, while the second man was arrested and charged on Wednesday. The first man was charged with 33 offences, the second was charged with six.

The first man has been charged with thirty-three offences including:

• Human Trafficking (5 counts);
• Receiving a Financial Benefit from Human Trafficking (5 counts);
• Procuring (3 counts);
• Material Benefits from Sexual Services (3 counts);
• Trafficking Cocaine (3 counts);
• Trafficking Hydromorphone (2 counts);
• Sexual Assault (2 counts);
• Assault Causing Bodily Harm;
• Assault (3 counts);
• Uttering Threats (2 counts);
• Obtaining Sexual Services for Consideration;
• Advertising Sexual Services;
• Failure to Comply with Conditions of a Release Order (2 counts)

The second man has been charged with six offences including:

• Human Trafficking;
• Sexual Assault;
• Obtaining Sexual Services for Consideration (2 counts);
• Uttering Threats;
• Intimidation of a Justice Participant

Both men appeared in Shelburne Provincial Court yesterday. The first man will next appear in Yarmouth Provincial Court on September 13 while the second man is scheduled to appear in Yarmouth Provincial Court on August 8.

The RCMP say the identities of the men are not being released at this time out of respect for the privacy of the victims and a publication ban that has been put in place by the courts.

Support is being provided to the victims and their families according to police.

They say Operation Homeward is ongoing.

If you are being, or have been trafficked, or believe someone you know is being trafficked you can call or text the RCMP at 902-449-2425 or contact Crime Stoppers.