Cape Breton man charged with sex trafficking after ‘significant evidence’ seized

(Source: RCMP)

A Cape Breton man is facing several sex trafficking charges after police say they seized “significant evidence” from a home earlier this week.

The RCMP executed a search warrant at a home in West Bay, N.S., on Wednesday as part of an investigation that began in June of last year.

Two men and a woman were arrested at the home.

Police say they seized significant evidence supporting human trafficking, drug trafficking and firearms offences.

Hubert Alexander Matthews of West Bay Centre has been charged with:

• trafficking in persons
• material benefit from sexual services
• possession for the purpose of trafficking
• multiple firearms and weapons offences

The 63-year-old was remanded into custody pending future court appearances.

Harriet Battiste, 61, has been charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking and multiple firearms and weapons offences.

The West Bay Centre woman was released on conditions pending future court appearances.

Police say the second man who was arrested was released pending further investigation.

Investigators believe there may be more victims

Meanwhile, police say there may be more victims.

They are asking anyone who may be a victim of sex trafficking to call their local police, the Nova Scotia Human Trafficking Hotline at 902-449-2425 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

“Investigators’ first concern is the wellbeing of victims,” said Sgt. Jeff MacFarlane with the Nova Scotia Provincial Human Trafficking Unit in a news release.

“We encourage victims to come forward and we recognize the strength and courage it takes to do that.”

The Inverness County District RCMP is asking anyone with information on the ongoing investigation to call them at 902-625-2220.

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