TOP STORY Police arrest more than 50 in child-sex probe
http://news.sympatico.msn.ctv.ca/abc/home/contentposting.aspx?isfa=1&feedname=CTV-TOPSTORIES_V3&showbyline=True&date=true&newsitemid=CTVNews%2f20090326%2fchild_sex_probe_090326Police across Canada have arrested more than 50 people on charges of sexual assault, sexual interference and possessing, making and distributing child pornography.
26/03/2009 11:01:55 AM
50 arrested in child-sex probe
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Police investigators and representatives from agencies from across the country speak during a press conference in Ottawa, Thursday, March 26, 2009.
CTV.ca News Staff
Project Salvo, the largest-ever co-ordinated investigation of Internet-based child sexual abuse in Canada, was led by the National Child Exploitation Coordination Centre (NCECC).
At a press conference Thursday, Sgt. David Fox, with the NCECC, said police issued 71 search warrants and arrested 57 people in total.
Fox said police have laid more than 100 criminal charges, seized 130 computers, dozens of computer hard drives, and thousands of computer storage devices and discs.
"Additional searches, arrests and charges are anticipated in the coming weeks," Fox said at a news conference in Ottawa Thursday.
RCMP Supt. John Bilinski, who is in charge of the NCECC, said Internet-based child sexual abuse crosses many jurisdictions.
"This project goes a long way in demonstrating that Canada has a multi-pronged response strategy to Internet-facilitated child sexual exploitation," Bilinski said.
He called on citizens to actively report crimes if they suspect someone is involved in exploiting children.
"I can assure you that we will continue to put every effort towards protecting children in Canada and abroad," he said.
Saanich Police Const. Derek Egan said officials found on-line images and videos containing children being sexually abused.
