Update 2 – 18-Year-Old Male Arrested in Connection with Ongoing Human Trafficking Investigation
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Detectives with the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) Human Trafficking Unit (HTU) have continued their investigation into the trafficking of a woman within the Niagara Region which began in May of 2026. Detectives identified a fourth male suspect.
On Saturday, July 11, 2026, HTU detectives, along with the assistance of the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and the Surete Du Quebec (SQ) arrested, 18-year-old Chaundre RICHARDS , of Port Colborne, at the Montreal-Trudeau International Airport, Montreal.
RICHARDS is charged with the following criminal offences:
- Trafficking in Persons
- Procuring
- Utter Threats
- Forced Marriage
- Procuring Feigned Marriage
RICHARDS remains in custody and has been transported back to the Niagara Region to attend a bail hearing scheduled for Wednesday, July 15, 2026.
Human Trafficking means every person who recruits, transports, transfers, receives, holds, conceals, or harbours a person, or exercises control, direction or influence over the movements of a person, for the purpose of exploiting them or facilitating their exploitation, for a sexual purpose or forced labour purpose. Victims can be men, women, or children; can be Canadian citizens; and can be moved across local, provincial, or national borders. They can be coerced through violence or the threat of violence against family and friends.
Update #1- SECOND ARREST: London Man Facing Human Trafficking Charges
As a result of the ongoing human trafficking investigation, a second suspect was identified.
On Thursday, May 28, 2026, members of the Niagara Regional Police Human Trafficking Unit (HTU), with assistance from 1 District (St. Catharines/Thorold) Street Crime Unit (SCU) arrested the suspect in the area of Queenston Street and Niagara Street in the City of St Catharines.
29-year-old Joshua SHIRLEY of St. Catharines is charged with the following criminal offences:
- Trafficking in Persons
- Procuring
- Utter Threats
- Forced Marriage
SHIRLEY remains in custody and is scheduled to attend a bail hearing on Thursday, May 28, 2026.
Human Trafficking means every person who recruits, transports, transfers, receives, holds, conceals, or harbours a person, or exercises control, direction or influence over the movements of a person, for the purpose of exploiting them or facilitating their exploitation, for a sexual purpose or forced labour purpose. Victims can be men, women, or children; can be Canadian citizens; and can be moved across local, provincial, or national borders. They can be coerced through violence or the threat of violence against family and friends.
Original Media Release:
In May 2026 detectives with the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) Human Trafficking Unit (HTU) began an investigation into the trafficking of a woman within the Niagara Region and identified a male suspect.
Following an investigation by detectives with the HTU, with assistance from the Emergency Task Unit (ETU) and uniform officers from 3 District (Welland/Pelham), a male suspect was arrested on Tuesday May 26, 2026.
As a result of the investigation, 26-year-old ANSHUL, of London, Ontario, has been charged with the following Criminal Code offence:
- Trafficking in Persons, contrary to section 279.01
ANSHUL remains in custody pending a bail hearing on Wednesday, May 27, 2026 at the Robert S.K. Welch Courthouse in the City of St. Catharines.
Human Trafficking means every person who recruits, transports, transfers, receives, holds, conceals, or harbours a person, or exercises control, direction or influence over the movements of a person, for the purpose of exploiting them or facilitating their exploitation, for a sexual purpose or forced labour purpose. Victims can be men, women, or children; can be Canadian citizens; and can be moved across local, provincial, or national borders. They can be coerced through violence or the threat of violence against family and friends.
Inc 26-63472, 26-64065