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USA July 29, 2026

GTA family accused of operating low‑budget sex trafficking ring

GTA family accused of operating low‑budget sex trafficking ring

Halton Regional Police announced the province’s largest sex‑trafficking bust to date, targeting a family‑run operation based in Burlington.

The investigation began in September 2025 after a woman who had been exploited for 15 years reported the crimes. Detectives have identified eleven additional victims and suspect that more may exist.

Charges have been laid against nine individuals: Omar Brooks, 40, of Burlington; Christian Collins, 31, of Milton; Michelle Dimarco, 33, of Burlington; Nicholas Bennett, 32, of Mississauga; Merlyn Brooks, 74, of Burlington; Malinda Brooks, 45, of Burlington; Malisha Brooks, 45, of Burlington; Johnathan Green, 40, of Toronto; and Jaidis Brooks‑Reynolds, 26, of Mississauga.

The eight suspects in the largest human trafficking case in HRPS history,

The defendants face a range of offenses, including sex‑trafficking, drug‑related crimes, assault with a weapon, money‑laundering, receiving material benefit from sexual services, and advertising sexual services.

Omar Brooks, a central figure in the ring, has a history of violent and drug offenses. He was arrested in 2007 during a gun and gang operation in Hamilton and later charged in 2017 for trafficking large quantities of cocaine, crack, Xanax, oxycodone and marijuana in Mississauga and Oakville. The current case adds 34 new charges against him.

Christian Collins, also known as Da Crook, previously faced a high‑profile theft case involving luxury watches but was acquitted in 2025. He now confronts multiple sex‑trafficking and drug charges linked to the family operation.

 (From left to right) Halton Police Service Det. Scott Heyerman, Deputy Chief Jeff Hill and Superintendent Dave Constantini on Tuesday morning in Oakville. After a ten-investigation dubbed Project Troubadour, Halton police busted the largest human trafficking case in the history of the service.

Michelle Dimarco, who used the alias “Ivy Love,” marketed herself as an upscale companion and promoted services through online platforms. Authorities allege she played an active role in recruiting and managing victims.

Searches of the suspects’ properties resulted in the seizure of three luxury vehicles—a Lamborghini and two Mercedes‑Benzes—approximately $450,000 in high‑end jewelry, about $30,000 in Canadian and U.S. cash, and a variety of controlled substances, including cocaine, oxycodone, psilocybin and cannabis, along with numerous electronic devices.

In total, 85 criminal charges have been filed, reflecting the extensive nature of the operation and the seriousness of the offenses.

 The vehicles seized as part of Project Troubadour. (Halton Regional Police Service)

Police officials emphasized that the investigation remains ongoing and that additional victims may come forward as the case proceeds.

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