A human trafficking investigation that resulted in multiple people being rescued in Barrie and Wasaga Beach is new to local police because it was not sexual in nature.
This investigation, which began in mid-December, was focused on labour human trafficking.
Search warrants were executed Tuesday at a number of locations in Barrie and a location in Wasaga Beach, carried out by Barrie Police, the OPP and Canadian Border Services.
While not delving into the nature of the investigation, Barrie Police communications coordinator Peter Leon was able to say that while the average person goes to work and gets a pay cheque, in this case these individuals were not receiving what was rightfully theirs.
He says the individuals that were rescued have been relocated to safety, and he hopes this will allow them the opportunity to absorb and digest what has taken place.
Leon didn't go into details about any suspects except to say individuals have been identified.
Leon says human trafficking takes on an element of control, where in this case the individuals movements, lifestyle and qualify of life was being controlled by others.
Police say they will provide more details about the investigation at a news conference, though no date has been set.
