NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
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Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and Barrie Police Service (BPS) members of the Provincial Human Trafficking Intelligence-led Joint Forces Strategy (IJFS) have charged two people as part of a seven-month investigation.
Between May and December 2021, police received information about an individual trafficking several females in the County of Simcoe for sexual services. An investigation identified a suspect and a search warrant was executed at a property in Barrie.
Officers seized evidence, including suspected fentanyl with an estimated value of $22,500 and electronic devices. An additional suspect was arrested and charged.
As a result of the investigation, 33-year-old Ryan Gilmour of Barrie, was arrested on Dec. 8, 2021 and has been charged with:
• possession of a substance (fentanyl) - Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) sec. 4(1);
• possession for the purpose of trafficking (fentanyl) - CDSA sec. 5(2);
• possession of proceeds obtained by crime - Criminal Code (CC) sec. 354(1)(a) and
• fail to comply with Condition CC sec. 145(5)(a).
The accused was held for a bail hearing and subsequently remanded into custody.
On Dec. 10, 2021, 43-year-old Creg Brown (alias Matrix) of Barrie was arrested and charged with:
• trafficking in persons - CC sec. 279.01;
• material benefit from sexual services - CC sec. 286.2(1);
• material benefit resulting from trafficking in persons - CC sec. 279.02
• adult procuring - CC sec. 286.3(1);
• fail to attend court - CC sec. 145(2)(b).
The accused was remanded into custody pending a video bail appearance.
It is believed that there are additional victims. Victims can contact Barrie police Det. Const. Michelle Jansen at 705-725-7025, extension 2166. Anyone with information regarding this investigation should contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or BPS at 705-725-7025. Information on the IJFS can be found online.
The Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking has resources available for victims and survivors of human trafficking. Visit the website and a national hotline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-833-900-1010.
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