Human Trafficking charges laid against two persons formerly with diplomatic status

(Ottawa) – On May 8, 2014, the Ottawa Police Service laid charges against two persons related to allegations of human trafficking for labour of a 26-year-old woman in Ottawa.

On April 30th, Ottawa Police made a formal request to Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada (DFATD) requesting a waiver of immunity to proceed with criminal charges related to Human trafficking against two foreign nationals.

The request for waiver was sent regarding a 45 year old man and a 44 year old woman. The woman was on posting with the Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines. At the time, both she and her husband had diplomatic immunity.

On May 5th Ottawa Police investigators were informed by DFATD that both parties – under police investigation – had surrendered their identity cards to DFATD, left the country and returned to the Philippines.

Bueneflor CRUZ and Robert CRUZ are charged jointly under the Criminal Code of Canada with the following:

Trafficking person by exercising control contrary to Section 279.01 (1) X1
Financial/material benefit contrary to 279.02 X1
Withhold or destroy identification documents for the purpose of facilitating an offense under Section 279.01 (1) contrary to section 279.03 X2
Robert CRUZ has also been charged with:

Utter threats cause bodily harm
Mischief under $5,000.
A Canada wide warrant has been issued for their arrest by Ottawa Police.

On December 18, 2013 Ottawa Police Human Trafficking Initiative investigators commenced an investigation following a third party complaint into allegations of human trafficking for labour of a 26 year old female.

Investigators determined that the victim entered the country legally as a domestic worker for the couple, working as a nanny. Investigators found that the victim was exploited for financial and material benefit, from July 2009 to December 2013, at the private residence of the couple in Ottawa.

The victim has been relocated to a safe location and remains in Canada.

“The Ottawa Police will continue to thoroughly investigate any complaints of human trafficking,” said Insp. Paul Johnston, Ottawa Police Service, Central District Investigations. “It is important to stress that help is available for the victims.”

If you know someone who may be a victim of Human Trafficking, please report this matter to the Ottawa Police Service Human Trafficking Initiative at 613-236-1222 ext. 5005 or phone Crime Stoppers at 613-233-8477(TIPS) or toll free at 1-800-222-8477.