A wide-scale investigation into online child sexual exploitation led to 46 arrests this week in Quebec, New Brunswick and Ontario, police said Friday.
The Sûreté du Québec (SQ) said 26 suspects — all male, ranging in age from 17 to 84 years old — were arrested in the province between Nov. 27 and 30.
The suspects appeared at their local courthouses, where they face charges related to the production, possession and distribution of and access to child pornography, according to police.
The provincewide police operation netted arrests in several regions and major cities, including Montreal, Gatineau, Sherbrooke and Quebec City.
The SQ worked with local police departments across Quebec to lead the sweeping raids this week. The police departments in Saint-Jérôme, Terrebonne, Sherbrooke, Repentigny, St-Jean-sur-Richelieu and Trois-Rivières were also called upon to mobilize 300 police officers and civilians.
The raids unfolded at the suspects’ homes and computer equipment was seized for further investigation, according to police.
As part of the investigation, arrests were also made in New Brunswick and Ontario.
Ontario Provincial Police arrested at least 18 men aged 24 to 84 in connection with the operation. New Brunswick RCMP say two search warrants were executed in that province in conjunction with the operation and two people were arrested, but charges have not yet been laid.
Any information about online child sexual exploitation can be reported to Cybertip.ca or the crime information hotline by calling 1-800-659-4264.
— with files from The Canadian Press