La Crete man accused of human trafficking, multiple drug offences

A 30-year-old man is facing charges of human trafficking of a minor and several drug-trafficking offences after being arrested multiple times in High Level.

Peace officers in the community made a traffic stop on May 26 after a vehicle was being driven carelessly. The officers noticed “indicators” of criminal activity and RCMP were called, a news release said Tuesday. They arrested the driver and took the passengers, an adult and a minor, to hospital due to undisclosed health concerns.

A series of drug trafficking charges were laid against the driver after police got a search warrant for the vehicle. Peace officers then placed an adult and a youth into temporary housing while they worked to get them a ride back to their families.

Michael John Neufeld, 30, from La Crete, was charged with possession of morphine with the intent of trafficking, possession of heroin for the purpose of trafficking, possession of morphine, possession of heroin and possession of methamphetamine. He is also facing a charge of human trafficking of a minor.

Neufeld was released the following day on conditions, including no contact with youth.

On May 28, the two didn’t show up for a ride home. The adult was found unharmed and police determined the youth had returned to Neufeld.

Neufeld was found and arrested without incident. The next day police arrested two other people after drugs and weapons were found in a vehicle. The youth was found in a trailer south of High Level.

Neufeld was charged with an additional count of human trafficking of a minor and two counts of breaching conditions.