Two people face 19 charges related to sex trafficking, financial crimes in N.S.

A sign for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police is pictured on June 23, 2025. (CTV Atlantic / Avery MacRae)

The Nova Scotia RCMP says two people are facing 19 charges related to human trafficking and associated financial crimes.

The Nova Scotia Provincial Human Trafficking Unit began a sex trafficking investigation related to multiple victims in the province in 2023. Over the course of the investigation, police identified connections to New Brunswick and Ontario.

As the investigation progressed, police say financial analysts with the Forensic Accounting Management Group (FAMG) identified over half-a-million dollars in suspected proceeds of crime allegedly funnelled through casino activities across three provinces.

“Investigators’ main priority in any human trafficking investigation is the safety of the victims,” says Sgt. Jeff MacFarlane with the HTU in a news release. “As officers began working with the victims, they connected them with appropriate resources in addition to putting together evidence to support criminal charges.”

During a traffic stop on Highway 102 near Milford on April 10, officers arrested two people in relation to the investigation.

Fedul Cain, 49, of Porters Lake, has been charged with 13 offences related to human trafficking and financial crimes. Charges include trafficking in persons, material benefit from sexual services, withholding or destroying documents, and laundering proceeds of crime.

He had his first appearance at Dartmouth provincial court Monday and remains in custody pending his next court appearance scheduled for April 20.

Marissa Church, a 43-year-old woman from Chester Basin, was also arrested for offences related to human trafficking and proceeds of crime. She was released by police on conditions pending future court appearances.

“Reducing the harm caused by human trafficking remains a priority for police and communities across Nova Scotia,” says MacFarlane in the release. “Addressing this issue requires a united effort, and we recognize the strength and courage of the victims who came forward to support this investigation. Their cooperation helped dismantle a sex trafficking network and protect others from being victimized.”

The investigation is ongoing.

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