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During the week of March 23, police agencies across Canada carried out the largest coordinated investigation into Internet-facilitated child sexual abuse in the nation’s history. A total of 57 individuals were arrested and 70 search warrants were executed in Project Salvo, including one in the Crowsnest Pass.
Staff Sergeant Doug Andrus, with the Alberta Integrated Child Exploitation (ICE) team, confirmed to the Pass Herald that ICE executed a search warrant in Blairmore as part of Project Salvo.
Andrus said that no charges had yet been laid in relation to the targeted individual, and names have not been released. A forensic investigation is currently being conducted, he said, and any potential charges will depend on the results of that investigation.
“We want to ensure we conduct a thorough and complete investigation,” said Andrus.
He also confirmed that the local RCMP detachment assisted ICE in the investigation.
Project Salvo was coordinated by the National Child Exploitation Coordination Centre (NCECC). With the assistance of policing agencies across the country, 57 individuals across every province and territory were arrested. According to the RCMP, they face charges that include sexual assault, sexual interference, and possessing, making, and distributing child pornography. |
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The high-tech investigation focused on Internet users who would exchange illegal images in different online environments, according to an RCMP press release.
Four individuals were targeted by ICE in Alberta –– one in Blairmore, one in Calgary, one in Medicine Hat, and one in the Edmonton area.
“I’d like to thank Canadian law enforcement agencies from across the country for their actions this week,” said RCMP Superintendent John Bilinski, also the Officer-in-charge of the NCECC. “All of us here today are proud of the work our investigators do and we are happy that many children have been saved from further victimization.
“Internet-facilitated child sexual abuse crosses many jurisdictions and requires partners to work together to identify perpetrators and identify victims,” said Bilinski. “Ultimately, our goal is to protect children from this abuse.”
Chief Constable Derek Egan with the Saanich Police said in a press release that the arrests are important for the message they send. “We will not be deterred,” he said, “from protecting children and making the Internet a safer place for everyone.”
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