Four teenage girls have been rescued following a months-long investigation into human trafficking in Edmonton.
According to the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team, a 13-year-old girl who was reported missing earlier this year was one of the victims.
“The investigation led members to a south side hotel, where they discovered that this missing person was being exploited from that hotel,” said Staff Sergeant Chris Hayes with ALERT. “A lot of this was facilitated over Snapchat.”
Hayes added that the accused used Snapchat to contact the girls in order to lure them to a hotel in the Ellerslie area. Some of these girls had apparently been there for up to six months.
Back in October, three teens were charged with the trafficking – Obinna Nwanekezi, 19, Jelani Ried, 19, and an unnamed 17-year-old.
The three are facing charges of sexual exploitation, trafficking a minor, and making child pornography, among other charges.
Two of the accused have been released with conditions, while the third remains in custody.
