An Ottawa man and woman, both in their 20s, are facing criminal charges of human trafficking after being arrested by local police on Friday.
Police executed a search warrant in the 2800 block of Baycrest Drive earlier in the day, according to an Ottawa police statement.
Edmund Asante, 26, and Kiana Norman, 22, were both arrested and charged with 11 offences in total — including trafficking in persons, assault, uttering threats to cause death, material benefit from sexual services and advertising another person’s sexual services.
The Ottawa Police Service’s human trafficking unit opened an investigation after a victim came to them and reported “incidents from June to December 2017,” the statement said.
Police said the investigation continues and investigators believe there may be more victims in relation to this case.
They urge anyone with information to call the human trafficking unit at 613-236-1222, ext. 5005.
Anonymous tips can be also submitted by calling Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), or by downloading the Ottawa police app.