A major police operation carried out this week in Quebec led to the arrest of 22 men in connection with the sexual exploitation of children on the internet.
Of the 22 suspects arrested, aged 18 to 70, 20 appeared in court to face charges of possession, distribution, and access to files containing child abuse and exploitation material.
Computer equipment was also seized for analysis by police, who conducted 26 searches as part of the raid.
The operation, which began on Monday, mobilized more than 150 officers from seven police forces. It was led by the Sûreté du Québec (SQ) Internet Child Sexual Exploitation Investigation Team.
According to Lt. Katherine Guimond, who heads the SQ’s division investigating child sexual exploitation on the internet, this operation “is the result of significant collaboration and coordination.”
“This joint approach by various police forces strengthens efforts to combat child sexual exploitation on the internet,” she said in a statement released Friday morning.
Police officers from Montreal, Quebec City, Laval, Longueuil, Boucherville, and Gatineau participated in this week’s operation.
–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews
