ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½

SURREY - The head of the British Columbia RCMP major crime section says human trafficking is "grossly under-reported" but he expects to see more cases after the establishment of a specialized policing unit to combat trafficking of vulnerable victims. 

Chief Supt. Elija Rain said at a news conference Wednesday that human trafficking cases are difficult and complex to investigate and prosecute, and the counter human trafficking unit will focus on assisting victims. 

"We anticipate that within a year, we're going to see a significant rise in stats," Rain said at a news conference in Surrey, ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ "Because as this team gets into education and investigations, these victims are going to be more comfortable coming forward, and we're going to uncover more instances." 

Public Safety Minister Nina Krieger said the new 12-member specialized unit will tackle human trafficking, with a focus on organized crime and support for "vulnerable" victims. 

Krieger said human trafficking occurs all over ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ and she urged the public to report suspected cases to law enforcement. 

She said victims are most often young women and girls who are coerced through "the use of force or the threat of force" against them or their friends and family. 

"It is happening across Canada and here in ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½" she said. "Human trafficking is often hidden at times in plain sight and is under-reported." 

The announcement coincided with the 12th annual World Day against Trafficking in Persons established by the United Nations, and Krieger said human trafficking is a "global threat driven by organized crime." 

Rain said the unit was established and staffed officially in March and it currently has four active investigations that are "provincewide." 

Rain said human trafficking cases are "difficult and complex prosecutions" that require working with victims, and while the number of successful prosecutions is low, "sometimes just rescuing a victim and getting them away from that environment is a success." 

He said the team is focused on "rescue and removal" of victims forced into sexual labour. 

"It's only been in operation for four months, so they're collecting stats and uncovering cases, you know, every week," he said. "As the minister said, it hits all four corners of this province." 

Premier David Eby said Wednesday that the provincial government is funding the unit to give officers "the support they need to make a meaningful impact to keep people safe in our province and particularly vulnerable women who may be trafficked." 

"With the additional resources, we're hopeful that law enforcement, both RCMP and municipal forces, will be able to … make a meaningful difference in terms of the safety of women in the province," he said. 

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 30, 2025.