Project Mermaid: Two Males Charged After Lengthy Human Trafficking Investigation
Region of Peel – Investigators from the Vice and Human Trafficking Unit, with assistance from the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC), have arrested and charged two men associated with the street gang known as MS-13 (Mara Salvatrucha) in connection with an ongoing human trafficking investigation.
In November 2025, Peel Regional Police launched Project Mermaid, an investigation into allegations that a female victim was being trafficked and sexually exploited throughout the Greater Toronto Area.
It is alleged that one of the accused, while serving a lengthy sentence in a CSC Institution, used an unauthorized cellphone to communicate with the victim and a second accused. Investigators allege the two men used intimidation, manipulation, and threats of violence to control the victim while financially benefiting from her exploitation.
As a result of the investigation, officers executed four search warrants in Mississauga and the Collingwood area.
Marcos Ariel Marinoni, 42, of Mississauga has been charged with:
- Trafficking in Persons
- Receiving Benefit Resulting from Trafficking in Persons
- Advertising Sexual Services
- Communicate with Anyone for Purpose of Obtaining Sexual Services
- Material Benefit from Sexual Services
- Exercise Control
- Assault with a Weapon
- Knowledge Of Unauthorized Possession of Firearm
- Unauthorized Possession of Firearm
- Withholding or Destroying Documents for the Purposes of Trafficking in Persons
Carlos Gutierrez, 30, of Toronto, has been charged with:
- Trafficking in Persons
- Receiving Benefit Resulting from Trafficking Persons
- Advertising Sexual Services
- Communicate with Anyone for Purpose of Obtaining Sexual Services
- Material Benefit from Sexual Services
- Exercise Control, Direction or Influence
Both Marinoni and Gutierrez remain in custody.
Investigators believe there may be additional victims who have not yet come forward.
Anyone with any information to contact investigators with the Vice and Human Trafficking Unit at 905-453-2121 ext. 3555.
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Email: media.relations@peelpolice.ca
Phone: 905-453-2121, ext. 4027
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