A man with ties to both Windsor and Toronto is in custody for human trafficking.
Police were called to Ouellette Ave. near Tecumseh Rd. around 6am Thursday after a man and woman failed to pay for a cab they had taken from Toronto.
After taking the man into custody for fraudulently obtaining transportation, investigators discovered he was on parole with a condition to not have magnetic strip cards that were not in his name.
Officers discovered he had several in his possession.
Windsor Police Sergeant Steve Betteridge says once the man was in custody, the female passenger had more to tell police.
"His companion, a 25-year-old female, revealed to officers that she had been involved in a very controlling and exploitative relationship where she was also exploited into the sex trade by that male," according to Betteridge.
He told AM800 News victims of human trafficking usually wait until they feel safe in order to seek help.
" Once she kind of had some separation from this fellow, once he was arrested and removed from the scene, she then had a safe environment to report to officers what had been going on in her life recently," says Betteridge.
The Morality Unit is investigating and police say the victim has been connected with community partners for further assistance.
Thirty-year-old Samuel Nana-Effah, with ties to both the Windsor and Toronto, is charged with, human trafficking, fraudulently obtaining transportation, and breach of probation.
The investigation is ongoing.
Police say help is available for anyone who is in a situation where they're being exploited for any reason.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Windsor Police Service at 519-255-6700 ext. 4343, or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 519-258-8477.
— with files from Teresinha Medeiros