Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police
An 18-year-old woman residing in the Greater Moncton Region, has been charged in connection with an investigation into human trafficking in the community.
On April 12, 2024, members of the Codiac Regional RCMP received a call requesting a wellbeing check on a young female at a residence on Ward Street in Moncton. Police attended the residence and determined that the female had been reported as missing from Ontario. The investigation later revealed that she had been brought to the area and was a victim of human trafficking.
On April 16, police received a call requesting assistance at a residence in Dieppe. Police attended the scene and located another young female who had also been reported as missing from Ontario, and was also believed to be a victim of human trafficking. Police also located an adult woman from Quebec who was a victim of human trafficking at the residence, and arrested an 18-year-old woman at the scene in connection with the investigation.
On April 17, Saphira Bastien appeared in Moncton Provincial Court, and was charged with:
- Two counts of exercising control over the movements of a person under the age of 18 for the purpose of facilitating their exploitation
- Making child pornography
- Advertising an offer to provide sexual services
Saphira Bastien was remanded into custody, and is scheduled to return to court on April 26 at 1:30 p.m., for a bail hearing.
“If you are a victim of human trafficking, or if you have information regarding this crime, please reach out to police for help,” says Sgt. Eric Rousselle with the Codiac Regional RCMP. “You will be listened to and you will be believed.”
The Codiac Regional RCMP General Investigation Section was assisted by several specialized units during this investigation including the Further Investigation Team, Crime Reduction Unit, J Division Forensic Identification Services, Digital Forensic Services and Internet Child Exploitation Unit, NB Justice and Public Safety and the Department of Social Development (Child Protection).
The investigation is ongoing.