Police in Toronto have announced an arrest following a human trafficking investigation.
Toronto police said an investigation was started by its human trafficking enforcement team in February 2022.
A woman was trafficked in the sex trade against her will “through a combination of deception, coercion and physical control by a man,” police alleged.
Police said she had to give the bulk of the money she earned to the man, who allegedly assaulted her with a firearm.
He also pointed a firearm at her head, police said.
The woman was eventually able to escape and made contact with Toronto police, the force said in a press release.
On May 19, police arrested 39-year-old Geary Laing — also known as “Dookie” or “Dukey.”
He faces numerous charges including trafficking in persons, two counts of assault causing bodily harm, one count of assaulting a police officer and one count of possession of a schedule 1 substance for the purposes of trafficking.
He appeared in court on April 20, police said.
Toronto police said the investigation is ongoing.