More than a dozen people face charges – including one man who has been charged with human trafficking – following a series of early-morning police raids targeting drug traffickers and robbers in the Halifax area.

The raids began at 4:30 a.m. Friday and by noon, Halifax Regional Police and RCMP had swooped down on 15 homes across the capital region and as far away as Moncton.

Police said they broke up a loosely organized gang of armed thieves.

RCMP Insp. Brad Sullivan said the human trafficking charge is believed to be a first in Atlantic Canada.

"We allege that the individual charged is responsible for controlling the movement of a woman for the purpose of exploiting her through prostitution," said Sullivan.

Police said a 23-year-old woman was taken from Nova Scotia to Moncton, N.B., where she is now reported to be safe.

During Friday's raids, investigators seized two firearms, a fake gun, ammunition, and a small quantity of drugs.

The suspects arrested range in age from 15 to 49. They face a total of 60 charges, including many related to drugs and guns.

The investigation, dubbed Operation Intercede, was launched earlier this year after a series of violent armed robberies in Dartmouth and Cole Harbour.

HRP Supt. Mike Burns said none of the charges are related to those cases, but some are related to the shooting in Scotia Court on April 30.

Burns said investigators prevented other robberies with Friday's arrests.

"What is different about this operation is that we have disrupted the individuals conspiring to move drugs and weapons in our community," he said.

The 13 suspects arrested Friday are expected to appear in court in the coming weeks. Warrants have also been issued for two suspects police couldn't find during the raids.