Calgary woman freed from sex trafficking, man charged by ALERT
Police say one man is facing charges and a Calgary woman has been rescued from sex trafficking following an almost two-month-long investigation.
Members of the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams' (ALERT) human trafficking unit launched their investigation in May.
On June 25, officers arrested Reginald Kwame Boakye with the help of Airdrie RCMP and Calgary police.
ALERT alleges the Boakye targeted newcomers to Canada, luring them into the sex trade.
At time of his arrest, ALERT says Boakye was carrying a loaded handgun and ammunition, despite having a lifetime firearms ban from previous convictions.
"Boakye allegedly targeted young women and vulnerable new comers to Canada, and lured them into the sex trade through manipulation, grooming and coercion," said a Thursday news release.
Boakye, 31, is facing several offences related to trafficking and firearms.
Officials believe there may be additional victims and are encouraging them, or anyone with information about the incident, to connect their local police service or contact Crime Stoppers anonymously.
Boakye remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in court on July 4.
ALERT says an "associate" of Boakye was also arrested.
Deng Majak Achuil, 28, was wanted on 35 outstanding warrants and charged with obstruction.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING UnitedHealthcare CEO shot in Manhattan, gunman flees on e-bike, officials say
UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was killed Wednesday morning in what investigators suspect was a targeted shooting outside a Manhattan hotel where the health insurer was holding an investor conference.
2 Quebec men top BOLO program's latest Top 25 list of Canada's most wanted
Two men believed to be central figures in Quebec’s violent and ongoing drug conflict topped the Bolo Program's latest Top 25 list of Canada's Most Wanted fugitives.
Air Canada to bar carry-on bags for lowest-fare customers
Air Canada says it will bar carry-on bags and impose a seat selection fee for its lowest-fare customers.
Warm, wet winter expected in much of Canada, say forecasters
Federal forecasters expect a warmer-than-normal winter in most of Canada, with more precipitation than usual in parts of the country.
Sweden and Finland want citizens to be prepared for war. Should Canada do the same?
As Russia's invasion of Ukraine approaches its third year, nearby Nordic countries like Sweden and Finland are preparing their citizens to survive during a military conflict. Should Canada be doing the same?
$80-million jackpot: 2 winning tickets sold in Canada
There are two winners of the $80 million Lotto Max jackpot, Ontario Lottery and Gaming (OLG) has announced. The prize will be split between two tickets sold in Quebec and Alberta, respectively.
Watch a woman try to grab a soldier's gun amid turmoil in South Korea
Dramatic video shows a woman grappling with an armed solider outside the South Korean parliament in Seoul on Wednesday.
Poilievre offers two hours of House time Monday for Freeland to present fall economic statement
In absence of Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister confirming a date to present a fall economic statement, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is offering to give up two hours of scheduled opposition time next Monday to 'tell us how much she's lost control of the nation's finances.'
Dollarama buys land for Calgary warehouse, targets 2,200 Canadian stores by 2034
A new Dollarama distribution centre and a lot more of the chain's stores are headed for Canada over the next decade.