Peel Regional Police have charged four people, including a 20-year-old Mississauga man and a 15-year-old, in a human trafficking investigation involving girls as young as 11.
In a news release on Wednesday, police said the force's Vice and Human Trafficking Unit looked into allegations, beginning in January 2024, that several young female victims between the ages of 11 and 14 were being trafficked and sexually exploited across the Greater Toronto Area.
Police allege the suspects used coercion, manipulation and threats of violence to control the girls while profiting from their exploitation.
Who is charged
Yousif Al-Gburi, 20, of Mississauga, and Mohamad Omar Al-Saleh, 21, and Mustafa Abdo, 22, both of Toronto, are each charged with obtaining sexual services for consideration from a person under 18, sexual assault of a female under 16 and sexual interference.
A 15-year-old faces a longer list of charges, including three counts of procuring a person under 18, two counts of trafficking in persons under 18, two counts of receiving a benefit from trafficking, two counts of receiving a material benefit from the sexual services of a person under 18, and three counts of exercising control, direction or influence over a person. The youth cannot be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
The charges have not been proven in court.
Police believe there may be more victims
Investigators said they believe there may be other victims. Anyone with information is asked to call the Vice and Human Trafficking Unit at 905-453-2121, ext. 3555. Tips can be left anonymously with Peel Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or at peelcrimestoppers.ca.
Anyone in immediate danger should call 911.
