Police have charged a man in relation to a human trafficking investigation.

In March 2023, police received a report of human trafficking that was occurring in the region. Through the course of the investigation, members of the Integrated Human Trafficking Team identified a suspect who was arrested in the Niagara region of Ontario on the weekend with the assistance of the Ontario Provincial Human Trafficking Intelligence-led Joint Forces Strategy comprised of 21 Ontario police services. Yesterday, team members travelled to Ontario to return the suspect to Halifax to face charges.

Edward Duane Garinger, 49, who also goes by Edward Morrison and Ted Morrison, has been charged in relation to incidents that occurred between January and March 2023 involving one adult victim. He is facing the following charges:

•                     Trafficking in persons    

•                     Material benefit from sexual services

•                     Procuring  

•                     Advertising sexual services

•                     Fail to comply with a recognizance (x5)

•                     Fail to appear in court

Garinger is scheduled to appear in Halifax provincial court today.

Police are concerned there may be other victims and are encouraging them or anyone with information in relation to human trafficking to contact police.

The Integrated Human Trafficking Team wants victims of human trafficking to know that police are here to help. Our priority is the safety of victims. Members of the Human Trafficking Team will work with community partners to support victims, address their specific needs, and get them to safety. Victims will be treated with dignity and respect and their safety will remain our primary goal. We want to assure victims that the decision to participate in the investigation is theirs and we will respect their wishes.

If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking, reach out for support or share information by calling:

• 911 – if safety is of immediate concern.
• 902-449-2425 to contact the Nova Scotia Human Trafficking Team, 24/7.
• 902-490-5142 to contact the Integrated Human Trafficking Team. Please note that this line is not monitored 24/7.
• 902-490-5020 to file a report and have an officer follow up with you.
• Anonymous tips can be sent to Crime Stoppers by calling toll-free 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submitting a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca or using the P3 Tips App.

Source: Release