Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Durham police battle increase in human trafficking

DURHAM -- Durham police are grappling with what they describe as a growing incidence of young women being forced into the sex trade.

Human trafficking is on the rise in Durham, as evidenced by the results of recent blitzes targeting activity in motels along the Hwy. 401 corridor, said Sergeant Ron Kapuscinski.

“The results have spoken for themselves,” he said of investigations that have led to the arrests of several suspected pimps on human trafficking charges. “Our service has identified it as a significant issue.”

Last spring, Sgt. Kapuscinski led a team of officers in Project Spencer, which confirmed the existence of human trafficking in Whitby and led to the conviction of a 33-year-old man accused of exploiting two women, aged 21 and 23. This was the region’s first human trafficking conviction.

That was followed up by a similar initiative this past fall dubbed Project Armstrong, which led to the arrest of nine individuals. They are facing more than 80 charges including human trafficking, firearms-related offences and drug possession.  (more...)

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