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Two Simcoe County residents arrested in human trafficking case

June 1, 2023   ·   0 Comments

By Brian Lockhart

Police have arrested four individuals, including two from Simcoe County, in a human labour trafficking investigation linked to Ontario, Alberta and Quebec.

The investigation, named Project FOXTROT, began on Feb. 13, 2023, when the Ontario Provincial Police received information about suspected labour trafficking involving foreign nationals from Mexico who were being exploited.

The victims were recruited online and promised work permits and good-paying employment in Canada.

The victims were expected to work at various recycling facilities in Red Deer, Alta.; North Bay, Ont.; Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.; and Levis, Que.

They were housed in several short-term rentals around the county and in the basement of the home of one of the accused in Simcoe County.

Payment for the accommodation was taken from the victim’s wages, which was less than had been promised.

On May 16, 2023, the Provincial Human Trafficking Intelligence-led Joint Forces Strategy members from the OPP, Anishnibek Police Service, Toronto Police Service, Peel Regional Police, and Halton Regional Police Service executed search warrants at locations throughout Simcoe County and the Greater Toronto Area.

As a result, four persons, three men and one woman were charged.

Francisco Eluid Antionio-Olvera, 33, of Simcoe County, was arrested and charged with three counts of Human Trafficking of Persons, as per Section 279.01, and three counts of Material Benefits in Trafficking of Persons, as per Section 279.02 of the Criminal Code. A bail hearing was scheduled for May 23.

Floriberta Sarmiento, 27, of Simcoe County, was arrested and charged with one count of Trafficking of Persons and one count of Material Benefit in Trafficking of Persons. She was released on an undertaking and is scheduled to appear in Brampton Court on June 26.

Miroslaw Blachuta, 72, of Etobicoke, was arrested and charged with three counts of Human Trafficking of Persons and three counts of Material Benefits in Trafficking of Persons. He was released on an undertaking and is scheduled to appear in Brampton Court on July 17.

Mikhael Akin, 53, of Halton, was arrested and charged with three counts of Trafficking in Persons. He was released on an undertaking and is scheduled to appear in Brampton Court on July 17. 

“Project Foxtrot demonstrates the exploitation of human trafficking victims in plain sight and the necessity of the IJFS [ Intelligence-led Joint Forces Strategy] and its partners to help unmask this crime,” said Detective Inspector Jordan Whitesell, OPP IJFS LEAD. “It serves as a stark reminder that human trafficking remains a largely clandestine and complex crime that easily goes unnoticed. We must come together to educate ourselves, recognize the signs, empower survivors and provide hope to victims to combat this hidden threat. We cannot fight this alone.” The three male victims range in age from 27 to 42 years old.                                                                                                 

All victims were provided services through the OPP IJFS Victim Specialist and FCJ Refugee Centre.

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