An Alberta woman escaped an alleged kidnapping and sex trafficking case in Surrey, prompting a civil forfeiture claim and ongoing police investigation.
Escape Leads to Police Raid
An Alberta woman who was allegedly kidnapped, drugged, and trafficked for sex managed to escape from a Surrey high-rise apartment in March, triggering a police raid and arrests. The case has now resurfaced in B.C. Supreme Court through a civil forfeiture claim filed this week.
Details of the Allegations
According to the Aug. 26 filing, the woman reported being forcibly confined, given cocaine, and instructed to attend a paid sexual encounter before managing to flee. Surrey Police Service officers responded to the report, raiding the 35th-floor apartment in the Whalley neighbourhood on March 20.
Suspect and Evidence Seized
Police arrested Gabriel Angel Osorio-Interiano and several associates during the raid. Officers seized $5,625 in cash, fake identification, drug paraphernalia, and the victim’s belongings, including a journal documenting escort dates and payments. A portion of the seized money tested positive for drug residue, the claim states.
Civil Forfeiture Action
The director of civil forfeiture is seeking to seize the cash, citing links to drug trafficking, human trafficking, and money laundering. Unlike criminal cases, civil forfeiture requires proof on a balance of probabilities rather than beyond a reasonable doubt. To date, no criminal charges have been filed against Osorio-Interiano, and none of the allegations have been proven in court.
Broader Context of Human Trafficking in B.C.
The case highlights the ongoing challenges in prosecuting human trafficking in British Columbia. Statistics Canada data shows that in 2022, only three of 29 police-reported cases in B.C. resulted in charges, the lowest rate since 2010. Nationally, about 40 per cent of cases that year led to charges.
Ongoing Police Investigation
Surrey Police spokesperson Ian MacDonald confirmed Friday that the investigation remains active and spans multiple jurisdictions. “We anticipate being in a position to recommend charges in the near future,” he said, emphasizing that ensuring the victim’s safety was the priority. The B.C. RCMP recently launched a 12-member human trafficking unit, expected to increase case referrals and improve coordination across the province.
This article is original and written specifically for Surreyspeak.com
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