Police arrest 11 in undercover operation targeting child exploitation
Ottawa police charged 26 counts after posing as minors online to catch people seeking sexual services from youth.
Eleven people have been arrested and face 26 charges following an undercover operation by Ottawa police targeting sexual exploitation of minors. Undercover officers posed as underage individuals online and engaged with suspects attempting to arrange sexual services from people they believed to be under 18.
Charges include obtaining sexual services for consideration from a person under 18, and telecommunication with a person under or believed to be under 18 or 16 for specific criminal offences.
The operation sends a message that sexual exploitation of children will not be tolerated, said Sergeant Amanda Larche. "Human Trafficking is driven by demand, and enforcement efforts targeting purchasers is critical in protecting victims and preventing exploitation."
Anyone with information about suspected human trafficking or child exploitation can contact the OPS Human Trafficking Unit at 613-236-1222, ext. 5625 or email mcm@ottawapolice.ca. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or crimestoppers.ca.