Investigation launched in 2018
Three individuals have entered guilty pleas following a joint investigation by the RCMP’s Hamilton-Niagara Regional Detachment and Canada Border Services Agency into human trafficking and unauthorized employment.
Launched in 2018, the investigation led to eight search warrants executed across the Golden Horseshoe-seven in Hamilton and one in Milton.
Authorities found 84 foreign nationals living in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions, with up to 25 people in one home. Some residences were infested with bed bugs and cockroaches.
Charges were laid against Miurel Baracamonte in 2023 and Mario Roca Morales in 2024. Most recently, on April 23, Christian Vitela pled guilty to employing foreign nationals without authorization.
(Written by: Brandon Warby)