Two Oakville residents, Rayon Powell and Gebre Byrnes, are facing multiple charges related to the trafficking of several women, following an investigation by the Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS). The investigation began last July after authorities learned that a woman had been trafficked by the two men.
Further investigation revealed, through financial data provided by the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada, that additional women were also victims of the same trafficking operation.
The suspects allegedly used a variety of coercive methods, including manipulation, physical violence, and psychological harm, to control the victims while benefiting financially from their exploitation.
On March 20, 2025, HRPS executed criminal code search warrants at two Oakville locations, resulting in the arrest of 38-year-old Rayon Powell and 46-year-old Gebre Byrnes. Powell, who is also known by the aliases “Dante,” “Michael Williams,” and “Kash,” and Byrnes, who uses the aliases “G” and “Jason Peters,” are each facing numerous charges in connection with the trafficking operation.
During the arrests, police seized approximately 254 grams of cocaine, a large sum of cash, a stolen motorcycle, several electronic devices, and documents containing victim identities.
Authorities believe there may be additional victims and have released photos of the accused. Anyone with further information or potential victims is urged to contact Detective Scott Heyerman of the HRPS Human Trafficking Unit at 905-825-4747, ext. 5241, or to reach out anonymously via Crime Stoppers.
