Seven arrested in Asian prostitution syndicate operating across Canada
Ring suspected of smuggling more than 500 women to be sex workers in Canada
Seven members of an Asia-based organised crime ring have been arrested on suspicion of exploiting more than 500 women mostly from China and Korea in a prostitution ring that spanned Canada, authorities said.
The ring operated in Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver, and allegedly involved the smuggling of young women into Canada for sexual exploitation through various bawdy-houses.
The arrests were made over five days from March 27 following a year-long investigation. Sixteen property searches were carried out, and a large amount of money was seized as well as computers, phones and two vehicles.
Two clients were also arrested on the premises at the time the operations took place and were charged with being found in a bawdy house.
Two suspects - Chun Daegun, 46, and Li Yong, 31 - appeared in court on Thursday to face charges related to the alleged smuggling of women into Canada for the purposes of trafficking them in prostitution.
So far, those arrested have been charged with procuring minors, advertising sexual services and gaining a material benefit from sexual services.