QUEBEC — Police have arrested 37-year-old Dave-Cash Paul in connection with a long-running investigation into alleged human trafficking and sexual exploitation offences spanning more than 18 years across Quebec.
The Sûreté du Québec’s Integrated Human Trafficking Task Force (EILP) announced Thursday that Paul, of Sainte-Julienne in the Lanaudière region, was taken into custody Wednesday. He was already being held at the St-Jérôme detention centre, awaiting sentencing in another sexual exploitation case.
Paul appeared by videoconference before the Joliette courthouse, where he was charged with multiple serious offences, including:
Pimping involving a person under 18
Living wholly or partly on the proceeds of sex work
Human trafficking
Assault with a weapon
Investigators believe Paul’s offences took place in several regions of Quebec and that he targeted multiple victims. Authorities allege he used social media platforms to contact victims and sometimes enlisted other women to help recruit them into prostitution.
Due to the number of identified victims, the Serial Crimes Investigation Management Structure (GECS)—a coordinated task force led by the Sûreté du Québec—was activated. This unit unites police forces across the province to share intelligence, pool resources, and identify serial offenders more efficiently.
The investigation remains ongoing, and police are urging potential victims or witnesses to come forward.
