Based on coverage from CBC, Global News, CJME, CJWW Radio, and SaskToday.
Two Saskatchewan men are facing human trafficking-related charges after the RCMP investigated allegations of labour exploitation tied to a trucking business near Regina.
White Butte RCMP say they began looking into the company after getting a tip in November 2025 about a possible trafficking situation at a local trucking business in the RM of Edenwold, about 45 kilometres from Regina. The investigation, done with help from Saskatchewan RCMP’s Human Trafficking and Counter-Exploitation Unit, led to two arrests and charges. Police also say they believe there may be more victims.
Saskatchewan RCMP allege labour trafficking scheme
According to the RCMP, investigators determined an employee was required to pay a “large sum of cash” to secure work with the company and to obtain permanent residency status in Canada. Police also allege the business owners withheld wages, pushed employees to work long hours without compensation, and forced drivers to haul unsafe loads.
RCMP describe this as labour trafficking, a form of human trafficking that targets people who may be vulnerable because of immigration status, finances, or lack of supports.
Const. Sarah Feaver, identified as the lead investigator with White Butte RCMP, called labour trafficking a “hidden crime” that exploits vulnerable people for financial gain and said workers in Canada have the right to safe conditions free from coercion and intimidation.
Edenwold trucking business investigation details
The RCMP’s description focuses on workplace control and financial pressure: up-front cash demands for employment, alleged withholding of pay, and working conditions that police say included unsafe loads and extreme hours. The Mounties have not publicly detailed how many workers may have been affected, how long the alleged behaviour went on, or the name of the business.
What they have said clearly is that the case started with a report in November 2025 and developed over months, suggesting investigators spent significant time gathering information before laying charges.
Human trafficking charges and court dates
Police have charged 36-year-old Himanshu Kundra of Spruce Creek, Sask., and 50-year-old Jagtar Sadiora of Regina. Each faces one count of:
- Human trafficking - Receiving a benefit of human trafficking - Withholding or destroying documents
Multiple reports agree the two made their first court appearances on June 11, and they are scheduled to be back in Saskatchewan Provincial Court in Regina on July 2.
As with any criminal case, the allegations have not been proven in court.
RCMP warning signs Canadians can watch for
The RCMP is using the case to urge the public to look for signs that a worker is being controlled or exploited. Among the warning signs they listed:
- A person is not free to leave their job or workplace - An employer controls or withholds passports, IDs, or work permits - Unpaid or stolen wages, including wages withheld entirely - Extreme work hours, sometimes with pressure to falsify records - Unsafe working conditions or lack of safety training - Poor or overcrowded living conditions controlled by an employer - Fear, intimidation, or reluctance to talk about work or housing - False promises or debt used to keep someone working
Sgt. Kelly Plamondon with Saskatchewan RCMP’s human trafficking and counter-exploitation unit said trafficking can feel like a “distant issue” to many people, but victims can be manipulated, coerced, or threatened in communities across the province.
Wider Saskatchewan anti-trafficking efforts
This labour trafficking case comes alongside other anti-trafficking activity in the province. One recent example mentioned in the reporting: a 28-year-old Calgary man charged last month after a Regina Police Service-led investigation into alleged sex trafficking across western Canada, including Regina, between December 2023 and November 2025.
Separately, the Saskatchewan government announced $115,000 in support for Hospitality Saskatchewan to provide training for workers in hotels, bars, restaurants, and other tourism settings to spot trafficking and respond appropriately.
Meanwhile, White Butte RCMP say they continue investigating the Edenwold-area case and believe additional victims may exist, encouraging anyone with information to contact police or report anonymously through Crime Stoppers.
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