A shocking case of human trafficking has come to light in the Greater Toronto Area, involving a member of the notorious MS-13 street gang. The alleged leader of the gang's Ontario operation, Carlos Gutierrez, has been arrested and charged with human trafficking while serving a 14-year prison sentence for attempted murder.
Gutierrez, 30, allegedly continued to run his human trafficking ring from behind bars, using an unauthorized cellphone to communicate with the victim and another suspect, Marcos Ariel Marinoni, 42, of Mississauga. The victim was allegedly trafficked and sexually exploited throughout the GTA, with Gutierrez and Marinoni using intimidation, manipulation, and threats of violence to control her.
The investigation, known as Project Mermaid, was launched in November 2025 by Peel Regional Police, with assistance from the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and Correctional Service of Canada (CSC). Detectives from the Vice and Human Trafficking Unit executed four search warrants in Mississauga and the Collingwood area, where Marinoni had relocated.
MS-13 is designated as a terrorist organization in Canada and the United States, and the mere presence of the gang in Ontario is considered "deeply concerning" by police. The gang's biggest cash-generating enterprise is murder for hire, and Gutierrez was convicted of attempted murder in 2025 for mistakenly shooting an elderly dog walker in Schomberg.
"Human trafficking is a psychological and physical crime," said Detective Sgt. Bob Hackenbrook of the Vice and Human Trafficking Unit. "Victims are tricked by traffickers who pretend to care about them or love them, but in reality, they will control all aspects of their life."
Police believe there may be additional victims in the GTA and Collingwood area and are encouraging them to come forward. Anyone with information is asked to contact investigators at 905-453-2121 ext. 3555.
Gutierrez and Marinoni are both in custody, facing charges including trafficking in persons, receiving benefit resulting from trafficking in persons, and advertising sexual services. MS-13's alleged leader is also charged with communicate with anyone for purpose of obtaining sexual services, material benefit from sexual services, and exercise control, direction or influence.
