Human trafficking victims are rescued by police and border services

A human trafficking ring that was operating throughout Southwestern Ontario was dismantled by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), with the assistance of several policing partners and non-government organizations.

OExplorer is the name of a joint investigation that the RCMP, London Police Service, and CBSA Criminal Investigations Sections in Southern Ontario and the Greater Toronto Area launched at the beginning of 2023.

Evidence showed that the suspects advertised internationally for laborers to work in Canada throughout the investigation. Upon appearance, the workers were set at nearby organizations across Southwestern Ontario. It is alleged that their travel documents were taken from them, that they were paid low wages, and that their living conditions were so bad that they could be considered inhumane.

On June 8, 2023, warrants for a search were executed at a number of homes and businesses in Southwestern Ontario. 31 victims who were being criminally exploited by the accused were saved by investigators. Additionally, in connection with these offenses, the police have placed restrictions on the associated bank accounts and seized a number of electronic devices, documents, and automobiles.

Both the London-based Eduardo Silva Cardozo and Herbert Navarrete Santos have been arrested and charged with multiple offenses by the RCMP and CBSA:

Eduardo Silva Cardozo (age 43)

• Human Trafficking contrary to Section 279.01(1) of the Criminal Code;
• Material Benefit, contrary to Section 279.02(1) of the Criminal Code;
• Withholding Documents, contrary to Section 279.03(1) of the Criminal Code;
• Proceeds of Crime, contrary to Section 462.31(1)(a) of the Criminal Code;
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime, contrary to Section 354(1)(a) of the Criminal Code;
• Uttering Threats, contrary to Section 264.1(1)(a) of the Criminal Code;
• Conspiracy to Commit Offences, contrary to Section 465(1)(c) of the Criminal Code;
• Employing a Foreign National, contrary to Section 124(1)(c) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act; and
• Counselling Misrepresentation, contrary to contrary to Section 126 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

Herbert Navarrete Santos (age 42)

• Human Trafficking contrary to Section 279.01(1) of the Criminal Code;
• Material Benefit, contrary to Section 279.02(1) of the Criminal Code;
• Sexual Assault, contrary to section 271 of the Criminal Code;
• Proceeds of Crime, contrary to Section 462.31(1)(a) of the Criminal Code;
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime, contrary to Section 354(1)(a) of the Criminal Code;
• Conspiracy to Commit Offences, contrary to Section 465(1)(c) of the Criminal Code;
• Employing a Foreign National, contrary to Section 124(1)(c) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act; and

After their initial arrests, both of the accused were taken into custody. The location of their subsequent court date is 80 Dundas Street, London, Ontario. Herbert Navarrete Santos will be on June 14 at 9 a.m., and Eduardo Silva Cardozo will be on June 13, 2023.

The London Police Service, the York Regional Police Service, the Halton Regional Police Service, the Ministry of Labour, the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre (FINTRAC), the Forensic Accounting Management Group (FAMG), and the non-governmental organizations that provided support for victims are all acknowledged by the RCMP and CBSA.