Police make arrest in Peel Region human trafficking investigation
Published June 20, 2024 at 6:50 pm
A 32-year-old Toronto man has been arrested and charged in connection with a year-long sex trafficking investigation going on in Mississauga and Brampton.
An investigation in May of 2023 was opened into a woman who was being sexually exploited in the sex trade in Peel Region by a man who Peel Regional Police allege exercised control over parts of the victim’s life and was making money from it.
On June 7, 2024, police arrested Joshua Maranhao, 32, from Toronto and found a quantity of controlled substances and a loaded firearm.
Maranhao has been charged with:
- Exercise control, direction, or influence
- Derive material benefit
- Advertise sexual services
- Mischief over $5,000
- Criminal harassment
- Three counts of uttering threats
- Possession of a firearm
- Unauthorized possession of a firearm
- Knowledge of unauthorized possession of a firearm
- Possession of a prohibited device
- Possession of a loaded prohibited firearm
- Occupant of a motor vehicle with knowledge of possession of a firearm
- Carrying a concealed weapon
- Five counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking
Nigel Opoku, 29, of Toronto, who was with Maranhao, has also been charged with the following:
- Unauthorized possession of a firearm
- Knowledge of unauthorized possession of a firearm
- Possession of a prohibited device
- Possession of a loaded prohibited firearm
- Occupant of a motor vehicle with knowledge of possession of a firearm
- Carrying a concealed weapon
- Five counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking
Both Maranhao and Opoku were held for bail hearings at the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton.
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It is believed there may be additional victims, particularly in the Greater Toronto Area, and police are urging the victims to contact them at 905-453-2121, ext. 3555.
Information can also be provided anonymously to Peel Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.peelcrimestoppers.ca.
