Thorold couple charged in human trafficking probe

A man and a woman have been arrested and charged in connection with human trafficking offences throughout Niagara and the province of Ontario, today (Oct. 4).

Niagara Regional Police Service said that they executed a search warrant at a home on Esther Crescent in Thorold.

Cops seized 1,040 grams of suspected fentanyl (Approx. $40,000 street value), $ 7,015 cash, and various drug trafficking paraphernalia from the couple’s residence.

The suspects have now been identified as Shaquelle Fitzroy Haughton (28) and Jade Charley(28), who face multiple criminal charges.

The charges include trafficking in persons, material benefit – trafficking a person over 18, material benefit from sexual services, procuring, advertising another person’s sexual services and more.

“Investigators have a reason to believe that there may be additional victims,” NPRS said in a press release.

Haughton and Charley were both remanded into custody during a video bail hearing at a courthouse in St. Catharines.

Charley’s next court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 5, while Haughton is set to reappear on Oct.6.

Charley is known to frequent various cities, including Brantford, Woodstock, Sarnia, Northern Ontario, the Greater Toronto Area, and Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Individuals with any information related to this incident are urged to contact the police at 905-688-4111, selecting option 3 and extension 1009548.