Jamiel Smith has been arrested, police believe more victims
Investigators with the York Regional Police Counter Exploitation Unit, Human Trafficking Section in partnership with Hamilton Police Major Drugs and Gangs – Human Trafficking Unit and the Provincial Human Trafficking Intelligence-Led Joint Forces Strategy have charged a Mississauga man in connection with a year-long human trafficking investigation.
The investigation, dubbed Project Magnolia, began in May 2024 after Hamilton Police began an investigation into a suspect involved in human trafficking across Hamilton and elsewhere in the province of Ontario. Hamilton investigators learned the suspect was also being investigated by the York Regional Police.
Between March 2017 and October 2025, the suspect procured and trafficked victims, including a victim under the age of 18. The suspect advertised offers to provide sexual services online and took the proceeds from the trafficked victims.
The suspect used violence to control his victims by assaulting and choking them. The suspect sexually assaulted a victim and forced another victim to marry a person for the suspect’s financial gain.
York Regional Police is releasing an image of the suspect as investigators believe there are additional victims and are encouraging them to come forward.
A sexual assault includes any non-consensual contact of a sexual nature. York Regional Police encourages victims to report incidents of sexual assault, including historical offences. There is no statute of limitations for sexual offences and offenders can be prosecuted well after the date of the offence.
If someone is not ready to report, however is seeking support, please contact York Region Victim Services victimservices-york.org , the Cedar Centre http://www.cedarcentre.ca/ or the Women’s Support Network womenssupportnetwork.ca. Additional resources and information can also be found on our website http://www.yrp.ca/en/services/resources/sexualassaultsurvivorsguide.pdf
Anyone with information is asked to call the York Regional Police Human Trafficking Unit at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 6800 or by email at HT@yrp.ca. Anonymous tips can be made to Crime at 1-800-222-TIPS, or online at www.1800222tips.com.
