Mountie charged with human trafficking

A 44-year-old RCMP officer from Georgina, Ont., has been charged with several criminal charges including human trafficking and animal cruelty offences.

The RCMP say the constable was arrested and suspended with pay.

“At this time, Const. Mane Monter has been suspended with pay. His duty status will be continually assessed and an internal Code of Conduct investigation remains active and ongoing,” the RCMP said in a statement.

York Regional Police say they started investigating last month after a victim reported being brought from Mexico to Georgina, Ont., for an employment opportunity.

They say the victim was made to work caring for animals under poor working conditions that were not consistent with the agreement.

Police arrested Israel Yahsif Mane Monter on May 3 and charged him with trafficking of persons, forgery, cruelty to animals and possession of a prohibited device.

The RCMP said Const. Mane Monter is a member of the RCMP's Toronto North Transnational Organized Crime unit, and they are cooperating with the investigation.

“These allegations are serious and difficult to comprehend,” the RCMP said

CONST. MANE MONTER HAS BEEN SUSPENDED WITH PAY.

in a separate statement. “As a police service, we work diligently to investigate instances of human trafficking and bring the offenders to justice, and we share this commitment with our law enforcement partners.”

In 2015, Canada's embassy in Mexico celebrated in a tweet a Mexican RCMP officer with a similar name who was a member of the Ceremonial Guard in Canada. “Meet Mexican Yahsif Israel Mane Montero, who is part of the Ceremonial Guard in Canada.”

The RCMP did not immediately confirm if they were the same officer. York Regional Police said Monter was the spelling of the name that they had.

Police believe there might be other victims who have been brought to Canada from Mexico under false pretences and they are asking anyone with information to contact them.

Labour trafficking often occurs in situations where a victim comes to Canada with the promise of a well-paying job, education or other opportunities. Traffickers often use violence, threats, lies or other forms of coercion to force victims to work excessively long hours, under unsafe and poor conditions for little or no money, often against their will. In many cases the victims are vulnerable.