Manitoba man wanted on human trafficking charges arrested in North Bay, Ont.

An undated file photo of a North Bay Police Service vehicle with its lights on and caution tape in the background. (CTV News Northern Ontario)

A man from Manitoba remains in custody in North Bay after he was taken into custody while driving a vehicle with a stolen Manitoba license plate.

North Bay Police soon realized the 55-year-old suspect was wanted on several human trafficking charges dating to April 18 in London, Ont. He was released on an undertaking and hasn’t been seen since.

Further investigation revealed he is suspected of trafficking a victim in North Bay, as well.

On June 16, two North Bay police got a hit on their automated licence plate scanner that told them the suspect had a stolen licence plate on his vehicle.

“A traffic stop was conducted in the 200 block of Lakeshore Drive and two occupants were taken into custody,” police said in a news release Monday.

“At police headquarters the investigation continued and further information revealed the accused was currently involved in human trafficking offences in North Bay.”

The man is charged with 11 offences, including trafficking a person, advertising sexual services, procuring/exercising control over a person, receiving material benefits from human trafficking and withholding documents.

“The name of the accused will not be released to protect the identity of the victim,” police said.

“The accused was held in custody, pending an upcoming bail hearing.”