Saskatchewan man charged with slew of offences, including human trafficking: Winnipeg police

A Saskatchewan man is facing human trafficking, weapons and drug charges after Winnipeg police say he held two women against their will in the city earlier this month andforced them to work as escorts.

Police went to a home in west Winnipeg on Sept. 16 to check on the well-being of two women they were told were being held there against their will, they said in a news release Thursday.

Both women were taken to safety and appropriate resources were provided to help them, the news release said.

Investigating officers seized around $86,000 in drugs,including meth, cocaine, Xanax prescription pills, psilocybin mushrooms, fentanyl and marijuana, the news release said. They also seized a sawed-off .22-calibre shotgun, a 9-mm handgun, ammunition and a canister of bear spray.

Investigators with the counter exploitation unit believe the suspect had met one of the victims on a dating app while living in a neighbouring provinceand had manipulated her into believingthey were in a relationship.

Once trust had been formed, that woman and another woman were brought to Manitoba, where police allege the man arranged for them to work as escorts for his financial gain.

The women were also forced to create and post social media advertisements offering sexual services, the news release said.

Police also allege the man took their identification and used electronic devices to track their movements.

A 46-year-old from Saskatchewan was arrested and charged with the following offences on Sept. 18:

• Two counts of trafficking in persons.

• Two counts of procuring a person to provide sexual services.

• Five counts of possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking.

• Possession of a loaded prohibited or restricted firearm.

• Two counts of possession of a firearm knowing its possession is unauthorized.

• Possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm with ammunition.

• Two counts of possession of a firearm, restricted/prohibited weapon or ammunition contrary to a prohibition order.

• Sexual assault.

He was detained in custody.