Close X
Thursday, October 3, 2024
ADVT 
National

47 Canadians charged in global investigation

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 02 Mar, 2022 01:19 PM
  • 47 Canadians charged in global investigation

Forty-seven Canadians have been arrested and 12 children have been removed from abusive situations as part of a global investigation into online child sexual exploitation, the RCMP said Wednesday.

The Mounties said 186 charges have been laid in Canada so far during the investigation, dubbed Operation H. Arrests have been made in eight provinces over the past two years, they said, adding the investigation is still underway.

The RCMP say the probe began in New Zealand in the fall of 2019, after law enforcement officials there were alerted by an electronic service provider who had discovered a large number of subscribers sharing "some of the most graphic and violent child sexual abuse material online."

Some 90,000 accounts were identified as possessing or sharing child sexual abuse material, they said.

"Online child sexual exploitation is borderless and is among the most heinous crimes targeting our most vulnerable – our children. ... Operation H is a prime example of how global collaboration can help all of our countries to protect children," RCMP Supt. Andre Boileau of the National Child Exploitation Crime Centre said in a news release.

New Zealand authorities said in a statement that the child abuse material "is some of the most egregious investigators have been exposed to. Many of the children featured in the images and videos were just infants who were exposed to obvious and intentional pain and suffering."

The international investigation has led to the arrests of dozens of suspects in New Zealand, and the safeguarding of 146 children around the world, they and the European Union police agency Europol said Wednesday.

More than 800 cases have been opened internationally and more than 100 suspects identified across the EU, Europol said.

Toronto police, who were contacted as part of the probe, said they have arrested and charged six men with a total of 18 offences, including some related to possessing, accessing and distributing child sex abuse material.

Toronto police Insp. Justin Vander Heyden of the sex crimes unit said one of the accused has since been convicted and jailed, one has died, and the other four are still going through the justice system.

The suspects are between the ages of 31 and 41.

MORE National ARTICLES

Meng applies for publication ban on HSBC evidence

Meng applies for publication ban on HSBC evidence
Meng Wanzhou's lawyers obtained the new material from HSBC through an agreement in a Hong Kong court that they say includes a stipulation that they protect confidential information.

Meng applies for publication ban on HSBC evidence

B.C. drivers to get a second insurance rebate

B.C. drivers to get a second insurance rebate
The government says the Insurance Corporation of B.C. will begin distributing rebates averaging $120 starting in mid-July, returning about $350 million to almost three million customers.

B.C. drivers to get a second insurance rebate

Large police presence in downtown Maple Ridge

Large police presence in downtown Maple Ridge
On Friday morning, June 11th, at around 7:00 AM, the Ridge Meadows RCMP’s Street Enforcement Unit, with assistance from the RCMP’s Emergency Response Team, executed a search warrant in the 22100 block area of Lougheed Hwy. Three people have been safely arrested.

Large police presence in downtown Maple Ridge

Vancouver Police seize guns in illegal marijuana store bust

Vancouver Police seize guns in illegal marijuana store bust
Vancouver Police are investigating after firearms were located during an inspection of an unlicensed marijuana store by the Province’s Community Safety Unit (CSU).

Vancouver Police seize guns in illegal marijuana store bust

Mother of London attack suspect prays for victims

Mother of London attack suspect prays for victims
The mother of the man accused of driving down and killing a Muslim family in London, Ont., says she is "grieved by the horrific tragedy."

Mother of London attack suspect prays for victims

Canada alone in vaccine vagueness as G7 begins

Canada alone in vaccine vagueness as G7 begins
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is hosting the G7 leaders for a three-day summit, taking place in the southwest village of Carbis Bay — bustling with police and summit officials — where the focus is on ending the health crisis, now in its second year.

Canada alone in vaccine vagueness as G7 begins