Cochrane RCMP lay charges in human trafficking investigation
Alberta RCMP say charges have been laid in connection with a human trafficking investigation.
- Sign up for breaking news alerts from CTV News, right at your fingertips
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
In early February, Cochrane RCMP launched an investigation into potential sex trafficking in the early 2000s.
"The complainant who came forward reported that she had been the victim of human and sex trafficking at the hands of a male she had met over an online dating site," said Sgt. Matt Pumphrey of the Cochrane RCMP.
After a brief consensual relationship, the victim told police the man began to traffic her.
Pumphrey said between 2004 and 2007, the male arranged meetings between the victim and other males, drove her to the locations, collected money and took her to other appointments.
The meetings took place throughout Cochrane and the Calgary area, he said.
Over the nine-month investigation, police discovered as many as four more adult victims who corroborated the evidence presented by the initial victim.
On Nov. 7, 47-year-old Darren Routhier, of Cochrane was arrested and charged with human trafficking, receiving benefits from the trafficking of a person, sexual assault causing bodily harm, unlawful confinement and extortion.
He was released on conditions to have no contact with the victims connected to the investigation as well as other provisions.
"As we have seen with this investigation, human trafficking isn't something that is happening elsewhere," Pumphrey said.
"It can and is happening around us."
Pumphrey said police are encouraging anyone to come forward with allegations of human trafficking "regardless of when they occurred."
"The Canadian government enacted criminal laws in 2005 prohibiting human trafficking, which included labour and sex trafficking. If you believe you have been the victim of, or you know someone who may have been the victim of human trafficking, I implore you to contact your local police,” he said.
"The courage of the victims in this investigation to come forward is remarkable."
Routhier's next court appearance is in Cochrane on Nov. 26.
Alberta push to curb trafficking
Country music star Paul Brandt has been at the forefront of the province’s efforts to slow trafficking.
He’s currently the co-chair of The Alberta Centre to End Trafficking in Persons and runs “Not in My City,” to raise awareness and prevent sexual exploitation.
Brandt told reporters Wednesday these newly unearthed crimes hit close to home, as he lives in the Cochrane community.
“There is an awakening happening in Alberta right now,” he said. “People are starting to realize across the country that this issue of human trafficking is far more prevalent than data shows.”
He estimates the crime nationwide is annually a $180 billion industry.
“And there are a number of survivors I’ve spoken with who have detailed that even people who are actively being trafficked often don’t recognize the signs,” Brandt said.
“In essence, it’s forced fraud and coercion facilitated by a third-party. It’s something that someone does to someone and makes a profit from them.”
To learn more about his work, visit NotInMyCity.ca.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Trump picks former congressman Pete Hoekstra to be ambassador to Canada
U.S. president-elect Donald Trump has nominated former diplomat and U.S. congressman Pete Hoekstra to be the American ambassador to Canada.
Genetic evidence backs up COVID-19 origin theory that pandemic started in seafood market
A group of researchers say they have more evidence to suggest the COVID-19 pandemic started in a Chinese seafood market where it spread from infected animals to humans. The evidence is laid out in a recent study published in Cell, a scientific journal, nearly five years after the first known COVID-19 outbreak.
This is how much money you need to make to buy a house in Canada's largest cities
The average salary needed to buy a home keeps inching down in cities across Canada, according to the latest data.
'My two daughters were sleeping': London Ont. family in shock after their home riddled with gunfire
A London father and son they’re shocked and confused after their home was riddled with bullets while young children were sleeping inside.
Smuggler arrested with 300 tarantulas strapped to his body
Police in Peru have arrested a man caught trying to leave the country with 320 tarantulas, 110 centipedes and nine bullet ants strapped to his body.
Boissonnault out of cabinet to 'focus on clearing the allegations,' Trudeau announces
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced embattled minister Randy Boissonnault is out of cabinet.
Baby dies after being reported missing in midtown Toronto: police
A four-month-old baby is dead after what Toronto police are calling a “suspicious incident” at a Toronto Community Housing building in the city’s midtown area on Wednesday afternoon.
Sask. woman who refused to provide breath sample did not break the law, court finds
A Saskatchewan woman who refused to provide a breath sample after being stopped by police in Regina did not break the law – as the officer's request was deemed not lawful given the circumstances.
Parole board reverses decision and will allow families of Paul Bernardo's victims to attend upcoming parole hearing in person
The families of the victims of Paul Bernardo will be allowed to attend the serial killer’s upcoming parole hearing in person, the Parole Board of Canada (PBC) says.