On Saturday June 21, 2025, the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) 6 District (Port Colborne) uniform officers conducted a traffic stop in the City of Port Colborne that led to a human trafficking investigation. The investigation was then continued by the NRPS Human Trafficking Unit (HTU).
The investigation focused on the alleged trafficking of a female over the age of 18 which is believed to have occurred across both Ontario and Quebec. The cities involved include Montreal, Markham, Port Hope, Sudbury, Manitoulin Island, the Greater Toronto area, and Port Colborne.
As a result of the investigation, 31-year-old Jamal COOPER-BATISTE from North York, Ontario was identified as a suspect and taken into custody. He has been charged with the following criminal offences:
Trafficking in persons, contrary to Section 279.01(1) of the Criminal Code Receive a financial or other material benefit, contrary to Section 279.02(1) of the Criminal Code Fail to comply with probation, contrary to Section 733.1(1) of the Criminal Code
COOPER-BATISTE is being held in custody pending a bail hearing, which is expected to take place June 22, 2025, at the Robert S.K. Welch Courthouse in the City of St. Catharines.
Due to the nature of the investigation, detectives have reason to believe there are additional witnesses and are urging anyone with information to forward.
Anyone who may have information related to this investigation is asked to contact detectives by calling 905-688-4111, option 3, extension 1009736.
The NRPS Human Trafficking Unit also recognizes the ongoing assistance of Victim Services Niagara and other members of the Anti-Human Trafficking Response Protocol of the Niagara Region.
Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously can contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to persons who contact the program with information which leads to an arrest.
Survivors of Human Trafficking are encouraged to contact the Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline by calling 1-833-900-1010 or on the internet CLICK HERE. This is a 24/7 confidential support resource available in over 200 languages.
For more information about community support options for survivors of Human Trafficking and the Niagara Regional Police Service’s efforts to combat Human Trafficking CLICK HERE.
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