9 Arrested, 85 Criminal Charges Laid, 12 Victims Identified
Police Believe the Actual Number of Victims Could Be Significantly Higher
Following the 10-month-long Project Troubadour investigation, police seized luxury vehicles, approximately $450,000 worth of jewelry, cash, and illicit drugs. All charges remain allegations and have yet to be proven in court.
Report by Mehboob Ali Shaikh
In one of the largest human trafficking investigations ever conducted in Ontario’s Halton Region, the Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) has announced the arrest of nine individuals and the laying of 85 criminal charges in what police describe as the largest human trafficking case in the service’s history.
According to police, the nearly 10-month investigation, known as Project Troubadour, began in September 2025 after a woman came forward to report her alleged exploitation. Since then, investigators have identified 12 victims, but believe the actual number of victims could be significantly higher.
An official Halton Regional Police Service news release issued on July 28 confirmed that Project Troubadour resulted in the arrest of nine individuals and a total of 85 criminal charges. HRPS has described the investigation as the largest human trafficking case ever undertaken by the service.
Police emphasized that the objective of the investigation extends beyond making arrests. Investigators are also seeking to identify and support additional victims who may not yet have come forward because of fear, psychological manipulation, financial dependence, or other forms of coercion.
Authorities note that victims of human trafficking often endure prolonged periods of coercion, deception, psychological control, and exploitation, making it extremely difficult for them to seek help.
According to police, 10 search warrants were executed at multiple locations across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) on July 13, 2026, leading to the arrest of nine individuals.
The investigation was conducted by the Halton Regional Police Service in partnership with Peel Regional Police and the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), with support from Criminal Intelligence Service Ontario.
Police allege that victims were controlled through coercion, deception, psychological abuse, and manipulation.
During the investigation, officers seized numerous high-value assets and other items, including:
- Lamborghini Urus
- Mercedes-Benz S550
- Mercedes-Benz AMG GT
- Two Sea-Doo GTR watercraft
- Approximately $30,000 in Canadian and U.S. currency
- Approximately $450,000 worth of luxury jewelry
- Electronic devices
- Cocaine, cannabis, oxycodone, psilocybin, and other suspected controlled substances
It is important to note that the seizure of assets does not in itself constitute proof of criminal wrongdoing. The legal status and admissibility of all seized property will be determined through the court process.
Police say the 85 criminal charges include allegations related to:
- Human trafficking
- Receiving a material benefit from human trafficking
- Procuring
- Possession or concealment of proceeds of crime
- Money laundering
- Uttering threats
- Other related criminal offences
According to police, 40-year-old Omar Brooks of Burlington, also known as “Syph,” and 33-year-old Michelle Dimarco, also of Burlington, who is also known as “Coco” and “Ivy Love,” are among those charged with multiple offences.
Important Legal Note: These are allegations only. Under Canadian law, all accused persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
The significance of this case lies not only in the number of arrests or the value of the assets seized, but also in police concerns that additional victims may still remain unidentified.
Investigators are urging anyone who believes they may be a victim, or anyone with information related to the investigation, to contact police or the appropriate authorities.
Project Troubadour is not only being described as the largest human trafficking investigation in the history of the Halton Regional Police Service, but it also serves as a reminder that human trafficking is a complex and organized crime requiring the continued cooperation of law enforcement agencies, community organizations, and the public to combat effectively.
