Some 80 Mexican men and women were found living in ‘vermin infested’ sub-standard conditions, sleeping on mattresses on the floor by the RCMP and border agents after they searched seven homes in Hamilton.

The group of 80 were from Mexico and had entered Canada as visitors at Pearson International Airport and airports in Hamilton and Montreal.

Six people, who it is alleged operated the smuggling scheme, were arrested when the foreign nationals were found after warrants were executed on eight residences in Hamilton and Milton, on February 9 by the RCMP and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).

The six were charged February 9 with a long list of human trafficking and immigration-related offences and are back before the courts in Hamilton on March 8.

“These searches revealed approximately 80 foreign nationals who were residing in sub-standard conditions, where many individuals slept on the floor on mattresses and the housing was infested with bed bugs, cockroaches and other vermin,” the RCMP said in a release.

It is not known if they had their travel documents or money taken away from them.

“The investigation uncovered a group of individuals exploiting foreign nationals, as well as manipulating our immigration systems and processes for gain and profit,” said RCMP Insp. Ann Koenig.

She said the foreign nationals “were illegally gaining employment in different lines of work in the Hamilton-Niagara Region” with the help of employment agencies, which were operated by the group bringing them into Canada.

“The foreign nationals were exploited by the group members and their respective companies,” police said.

Police have identified three companies that they claimed were involved with the operation.

Police said more than 16 police agencies were involved in the investigation, which began in 2018.

It is not known if the group may seek refugee status or return home after the court case is completed.