A North Bay businessman has been arrested and charged following an extensive eight-month investigation into a suspected human trafficking operation involving the exploitation of a foreign national.
A man, who police have not named, was arrested and charged last Wednesday as a result of an eight-month-long investigation into human trafficking, by the North Bay Police Service’s Criminal Investigation Section.
In October 2024, police launched an investigation, after receiving reports involving unpaid wages, the sale of immigration documents, and the coercion of foreign nationals into paying for being added to the payroll. The investigation revealed that a North Bay employer exploited a foreign national by requiring payment for documents essential to their immigration application.
On May 28, 2025, officers, with the support of the Provincial Human Trafficking Intelligence-led Joint Forces Strategy (IJFS) and the Ministry of Labour, executed search warrants at three business locations within the City.
The businessman was taken into custody without incident.
He is charged with:
- Human trafficking
- Material benefits from human trafficking
- Laundering the proceeds of crime
- Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime over $5,000
- Fraud over $5,000
- Extortion
- Two counts of withholding documents
- Uttering threats
- Theft under $5,000
- Unauthorized use of a credit card
The accused was released on house arrest and the courts have issued a publication ban. At this time the name of the accused will not be released by police.
"Every year, hundreds of thousands of migrant workers arrive in Canada to provide vital support to the economy. While many are treated with dignity and respect, some face exploitation. Labour trafficking is a serious and growing issue, and migrant workers are particularly vulnerable due to precarious immigration status, isolation, and language barriers," says a news release.
If you or someone you know has experienced any of the following, you may be a victim of a crime:
- Forced or convinced to work for little or no pay
- Paid a wage less than what was promised
- Required to return pay cheques to an employer
- Paid to be added to a payroll
- Paid for documents needed for visa or residency applications
Contact the Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-833-900-1010, call 9-1-1, or contact your local police service.
If you have any information regarding this investigation, contact the North Bay Police Service.
