Update: Third person charged in sex trafficking and financial crimes investigation
The Nova Scotia Provincial Human Trafficking Unit (HTU) has charged a third person with human trafficking and financial crimes offences as part of an investigation that began in 2023.
In 2023, HTU launched a sex trafficking investigation involving multiple victims in Nova Scotia. Over the course of the investigation, officers identified connections to New Brunswick and Ontario.
In April 2026, officers safely arrested two people associated to this investigation.
On June 3, officers from HTU safely arrested a third person at a residence in Dartmouth.
Coulton Downey, 38, of Dartmouth, is charged with:- Trafficking in Persons
- Material Benefit from Trafficking
- Obtaining Sexual Services for Consideration
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime
He was released by police on conditions pending a first court appearance scheduled for June 22 at Dartmouth Provincial Court.
The investigation is ongoing with support from the Forensic Accounting Management Group.
“Victim safety and reducing the harms caused by human trafficking continue to be a priority for police and communities across Nova Scotia,” says Cpl. Brianna Taker, HTU. “We encourage members of the public to know and understand signs of human trafficking.”
Signs can include:
- needing to regularly check in with someone via phone call or text
- “love bombing” (receiving expensive gifts for no reason)
- withdrawal from family and friends
- not having control over their money or personal documents (e.g., driver's licence, passport, etc.)
More information about human trafficking is available on the Nova Scotia RCMP website.
The Nova Scotia Human Trafficking Unit is comprised of members of the Nova Scotia RCMP and the Halifax Regional Police, and is supported by police officers from across the province. Officers with specialized training in human trafficking and sexual violence can be contacted through the Nova Scotia Human Trafficking Hotline (monitored 24/7 by a police officer): 902-449-2425.
- TrafficLunenburg County District RCMP investigating fatal collision Lunenburg County District RCMP is investigating a fatal collision that occurred in Clearland. On June 6, at approximately 3:30 p.m., Lunenburg County District RCMP, fire services, and EHS responded to a report of a multi-vehicle collision on Hwy. 103. Upon arrival, officers learned that a Dodge Ram travelling westbound entered a construction zone where traffic was stopped due to single-lane access controlled by temporary traffic lights.
The Ram then collided with a Toyota RAV4 before striking a Jeep Cherokee. A fourth vehicle sustained minor damage.
The driver of the Toyota RAV4, a 65-year-old Ottawa man, was pronounced deceased at the scene. The passenger, a 64-year-old Ottawa woman, was transported to hospital by EHS LifeFlight with life-threatening injuries.
No other serious injuries were reported.
An RCMP collision reconstructionist attended the location of the collision. The investigation remains ongoing and is being assisted by the Nova Scotia Medical Examiner Service.
Hwy. 103 was closed for several hours but has since reopened.
Officers thank the bystanders who offered assistance at the scene.
