Two more men arrested in human trafficking investigation in Bowmanville

Two more men are facing charges in relation to a human trafficking investigation from December 2020.

Durham police say further information led them to the arrest of Laurance Shields, 42, who they say forced a female victim into the sex trade industry and exploited her across the province with the help of Kevin Bandy.

Police say the pair charged are linked to the arrest of a Whitby man in December.

In that case, a Whitby man was arrested after an 18-year-old woman told DRPS she was picked up outside Durham Region and was taken to a Bowmanville hotel.

Officers say she was trafficked and exploited by a man.

Now, Shields, of no-fixed address, is charged with  procuring exercise control; material benefit trafficking person over 18; material benefit from sexual services; trafficking in persons by recruiting and obtaining sexual services for consideration.

Bandy, 48 of Newcastle, is charged with trafficking in persons by recruiting/exercising control.

Both were held for a bail hearing.

Investigators have released their pictures as they want to ensure there are no other victims.

Anyone with new information is asked to call D/Cst. Chapman of the DRPS Human Trafficking Unit at 1-888-579-1520 ext 5600 / 5604

Anonymous information can be sent to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).