Achi news desk-
New Brunswick RCMP say officers have rescued three people from alleged human trafficking in Moncton, arresting an 18-year-old woman in the process.
According to an RCMP news release, officers conducted a welfare check on a young woman at a Ward Street residence on April 12. They determined that the woman had been reported missing from Ontario and was a victim of human trafficking.
Officers attended a Dieppe residence and found another young woman who had been reported missing from Ontario on April 16. They also found an adult woman from Quebec who was allegedly a victim of human trafficking.
Police say Saphira Bastien was arrested at the scene. She was charged with:
- two counts of exercising control over the movements of a person under the age of 18 in order to facilitate their exploitation
- advertise an offer to provide sexual services
- making child pornography
Bastien was remanded in custody and will have a bail hearing on Friday.
“If you are a victim of human trafficking, or if you have information about this crime, please contact the police for assistance,” said Sgt. Eric Rousselle with Codiac Regional RCMP in the statement. “You will be listened to, and you will be believed.”
