Accused human trafficker now charged with obstruction, contacting witness

VANCOUVER – A 28-year-old Vancouver man accused of human trafficking and running an underage prostitution ring now faces more charges.

Vancouver Police say Reza Moazami was arrested on Dec. 18 and charged with breach of a court order and obstruction of justice after allegedly having contact, through others, with one of the possible victims.

A 22-year-old woman and 30-year old man were also arrested as part of the continuing probe.

Moazami now faces a total of 20 charges, including human trafficking, sexual exploitation, sexual interference and living on the avails of a juvenile, after police uncovered a prostitution ring they say involved girls as young as 14.

When the bust occurred in October 2011, police alleged the ring had been operating at a home in south Vancouver since February 2009.

Investigators also believed the teenaged victims had been threatened with violence and forced to work as prostitutes.