Human trafficking charges laid in teen prostitution ring

A Vancouver man is facing human trafficking charges for allegedly running a prostitution ring involving the inter-provincial trafficking of under-aged girls.

Vancouver police say Reza Moazami, 27, was arrested during a raid on a south Vancouver home on Oct. 7 by the vice squad.

Sgt. Rich Akin said two girls were found in the house, and Moazami was charged with two counts of living off the avails of the prostitution of a juvenile and one charge of keeping a common bawdy house.

Police said further investigation turned up evidence that Moazami was allegedly involved in the inter-provincial trafficking of up tofour girls between the ages of 14 and 17 for the sex trade.

On Oct. 25, Moazamiwas charged with 18 criminal offences that occurred between February 2009 and October 2011, including:

• 4 counts of living on the avails of a juvenile.
• 4 counts of living on the avails of a juvenile while using, threatened to use or attempt to use violence, intimidation/coercion.
• 4 counts of trafficking in persons under the age of 18.
• 2 counts of sexual interference.
• 4 counts of sexual exploitation.

"This is only the second time in Vancouver police history that human trafficking charges have been laid in a case of sex-trade workers and the first involving youth," said Akin.

The policeinvestigation remains open and officers hope witnesses will come forward with more information.

"We believe there are other people out there with information. I think there are enough people out there that know the situation and we are just asking those people to come forward and talk to us," Akin said.

Moazami's next scheduled court appearance is Nov. 21.