Latest news with #YeonSooLee
CTV News
11-07-2025
- CTV News
Alberta RCMP arrest father and son in human labour trafficking investigation
A father and son from Edmonton are facing charges of human labour trafficking connected to a business they owned outside the city. Alberta RCMP say they have arrested a father and son after a year-long investigation into human labour trafficking near and northwest of Edmonton. Last summer, RCMP and the Alberta Employment Standards Office received a report of possible human trafficking at a motel in Fox Creek and at a gas station in Calmar, said a statement issued Thursday. The investigation uncovered multiple illegal business practices involving several immigrant workers including forcing employees to work 80 to 90 hour weeks without proper compensation, submitting falsified work schedules, exploitative payment practices, overcharging rent and expenses, harassment and more. Four victims were identified in the investigation – both men and women. Police won't say where they are from or provide their ages, but do say they believe there are more victims. 'This investigation is ongoing, with allegations of money laundering still being investigated, and authorities continue to actively pursue all related offenses,' said Insp. Breanne Brown, RCMP Serious Crimes Branch. 'Investigators are committed to fully uncovering the full scope of the operation and ensuring that all individuals are held accountable while victim supports are provided.' As a result of the investigation, 55 year-old Yeon Soo Lee, a resident of Edmonton, faces four counts of trafficking persons and material benefits from trafficking and one count of criminal harassment. His son, 26-year-old Joo Hyup Lee, was charged with trafficking persons and material benefits from trafficking. Police say the father and son have since been released and are set to appear in court on Aug. 11. RCMP investigated 117 human trafficking cases in Alberta in 2023 – 10 were labour related. The numbers jumped to 180 investigations last year with 21 involving labour trafficking. 'We're seeing a trend that more and more victims of this type of crime are feeling more safe to come forward,' said Brown. 'Not to say that labor trafficking didn't exist before, but we're certainly seeing more of it today than we did a few years ago.'
Global News
11-07-2025
- Global News
Edmonton father and son charged with human trafficking
The Alberta RCMP have charged two men from Edmonton with human trafficking. Police allege the victims were working up to 90 hours a week and weren't properly paid. Mounties say a year-long investigation revealed four victims who were employees at rural businesses owned by a father and son, who own a motel in Fox Creek and a gas station in Calmar. An investigation began in July 2024, after the Alberta RCMP received a tip from Alberta Employment Standards Office. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The investigation revealed that some of the temporary foreign workers were working 80 to 90 hours a week, without the proper compensation. False schedules were submitted to employment standards. Police say the father and son also underpaid the victims to the tune of $160,000. Yeon Soo Lee, 55, and his son, Joo Hyup Lee, 26, were both charged with human trafficking and material benefits from trafficking. Story continues below advertisement Watch the video above for more.
