MONTREAL – Human-trafficking charges have been laid after Romanian women were allegedly lured to Canada with the promise of a better future and forced to work for years in erotic massage parlours.

A wide-ranging federal investigation into the smuggling of Romanian families started about a year ago and, following a handful of arrests over the past few months in Toronto and Cornwall, Ont., police arrested a man in Montreal today on serious charges.

Marius Trifu Miclescu is expected to make an appearance in court today on charges of human trafficking, procurement and living off the avails of prostitution.

RCMP Cpl. Caroline Letang says four victims have been identified in this case — all of Romanian origin. They were allegedly being put to work in illegal parlours in Montreal.

At least one of the women had been there for several years and, Letang says, the women were threatened so that they remained under the network’s control.

Police say other arrests are possible and they are actively searching for at least one other Montreal man who has avoided arrest.

Miclescu, 38, is to appear in court this afternoon in Montreal.