Manitoba RCMP say the man who was arrested in Kamloops on Monday night has been charged with human trafficking.

In a statement, they say Jean Francois D’Asti-Brideau, 26, of Laval, Quebec was taken to Winnipeg as he is part of an ongoing investigation in Manitoba.

Sgt. Morgan Page of Manitoba RCMP Major Crime Services says a woman who was in the vehicle when it was stopped in the 1100 block of Rogers Way around 5:30 p.m. on June 21, was a victim of human trafficking being transported from Quebec.

“This is the type of crime that is not always easy to see,” Page said. “In this instance, an RCMP officer with our Central Traffic Services unit was aware of what to look for and saw signs that this couple were not what they appeared to be and called us in.”

“This was a great heads up move by that officer, and we were able to liaise with police agencies in other provinces to further this investigation.”

D’Asti-Brideau was previously arrested in Manitoba in January 2021 and charged with several weapons-related offences after a number of weapons, including a Taser, were found in his vehicle. Police also say he was “combative” at the time and resisted arrest, and later gave an incorrect name once in custody.

He was initially pulled over in a traffic stop involving an erratic driver, according to the RCMP, who say D’Asti-Brideau had numerous arrest warrants from both Ontario and Quebec at the time.

Following his arrest in Kamloops, D’Asti-Brideau has also been charged with possession of material benefitting from sexual services, and procuring to provide sexual services.