False
Suspicion of Human Trafficking Bring Massive Police Raid in Canada
108 "arrested" but not charged in B.C. massage parlour raid
12/8/2006
Police have carried out a series of raids on Vancouver-area massage parlours,
making 108 arrests. But no charges have been laid.
According to the RCMP, police targeted parlours suspected of having connections
to the sex trade, organized crime and human trafficking operations. But no
charges have been laid and most of the parlour workers appear to be Canadian
citizens, according to CTV Vancouver's Lisa Rossington.
"As both Canadians and law enforcement personnel, we are very concerned about
people being deceived or coerced into coming to Canada, with the hope of a
better life, only to be held in virtual slavery," said RCMP Superintendent Bill
Ard. He added: "It is situations such as these, where there are suspicions of
people being victimized, that clearly demonstrate the importance of the RCMP and
outside agencies working together, to help protect those who are vulnerable and
who do not have an opportunity to help themselves...Mr. Ard said the raids
followed several months of investigation by the Surrey, Burnaby, Coquitlam and
Richmond RCMP detachments.
Twenty-six of those arrested were clients at the parlours, while human
trafficking investigators interviewed another 78 women -- many of them described
as being Asian or South Asian. However, Rossington later reported that none of
the women have since asked for help. And because none have said they were
exploited, it's unclear how police will proceed in their investigation.
Robin Pike of the Ministry of Children and Family Development said none of the
parlour workers appears to be underage.
Dave notes
They thought they had women in slavery from organized crime, but found none. In
Canada "arrest" isn't the same as in the U.S., they were simply detained a few
hours and questioned. They are let go when no crime seems to have been
committed. If they suspect a crime "charges are laid".
As most folks know consenting private adult prostitution is legal in Canada as
in most of the world except the U.S. However they still have an 1800's bawdy
house law which makes it illegal for an incall that is regularly used for
prostitution. But the law is rarely enforced and even when convicted usually is
just a small fine. In this case the raid seems only related to suspicion of
human trafficking which as usual was not the case.