By Aaron D’andrea Thu., May 20, 2021
Two people have been arrested and charged in a Toronto police human trafficking investigation.
According to investigators, last month a female victim met a man on Snapchat who went by the name “driptastic.” She entered into what she believed was a romantic relationship with the man, but was coerced to work within the sex trade against her will by the man and another woman, police claim.
Police allege all the money she made was kept from her, as were her personal belongings.
On May 12, Joshua Oliver, 29, and Marianna Benkartoussa, 22, both of Toronto, were arrested and charged with procuring/exercising control, advertising another person’s sexual services, trafficking in persons, material benefit from sexual services and financial material benefit from trafficking person over 18.
Oliver was also charged with theft not exceeding $5,000. They both appeared in court virtually on May 13.
Police believe there may be more victims and encourage all affected individuals to come forward and report human trafficking occurrences to police.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-7474, or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-8477 or online at 222tips.com.