CBSA charges three individuals for offences under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act

May 16, 2018               Mississauga, Ontario              Canada Border Services Agency

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) announced today charges against three individuals for offences under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA).

On April　30, 2018, the CBSA Criminal Investigations Section in the Greater Toronto Area Region laid charges relating to the exploitation of migrant workers, as a result of a year-long investigation.

Laxman Marsonia, owner/operator of Sharon Mushroom Farm in Sharon, Ontario (East Gwillimbury); Liwayway "Lily" Miranda, owner/operator of A&L Hammer Workforce Management Inc. in Toronto; and Yatin Bera of Richmond Hill, recruited migrant workers from the Philippines and other countries to work as mushroom pickers.　

Marsonia was charged under the IRPA with: 

• six counts of trafficking in persons, as per subsection 118(1);
• one count of misrepresentation, as per paragraph 127(a).

Miranda was charged under the IRPA with: 

• six counts of trafficking in persons, under subsection 118(1);
• six counts of counsel misrepresentation, under section 126;
• one count of counselling offence, under section 131;
• four counts of employment of unauthorized persons, under paragraph 124(1)(c). 

Bera was charged under the IRPA with: 

• two counts of misrepresentation, as per paragraph 127(a). 

All three are scheduled for appearances at Old City Hall Court in Toronto, on May 28, 2018.