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West Vancouver woman accused of human trafficking a no-show in court

The West Vancouver millionaire who faces human trafficking and human smuggling charges was a no-show in Vancouver Provincial Court Wednesday morning.

The West Vancouver millionaire who faces human trafficking and human smuggling charges was a no-show in Vancouver Provincial Court Wednesday morning.

Mumtaz Ladha who had an outstanding warrant since May 12 was arrested at Vancouver International Airport on July 19 after returning to Canada from Tanzania.

Ladha was released by police on a promise to appear in court Aug. 10. A laywer attended the Wednesday morning appearance in her place and the case was put over to Sept. 19.

Mounties allege the 55-year-old woman hired a 21-year-old African woman in 2008, promising her a work visa and job at Vancouver-area hair salon. An RCMP investigation asserts that Ladha took the young womans passport and forced her to work long hours at Ladhas West Vancouver home with no pay.

According to police, the young woman left Ladhas house in 2009 and showed up at a womans shelter. Mounties and the West Vancouver police then launched their investigation.