More than 100 arrested in Canada-wide child exploitation operation, police say
Police say they have made more than 100 arrests and laid more than 300 charges in a major national child exploitation operation.
Representatives of the RCMP and other police forces provided an update Wednesday on a project aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse.
RCMP Insp. Matthieu Girard told a news conference the recent sweep, known as Project Steel, led to the identification of dozens of victims and 37 children being safeguarded from harm.
A total of 1,132 electronic devices were seized, and charges laid so far include possession, distribution and accessing child pornography.
Girard said the numbers are preliminary and there are hundreds of ongoing investigations.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBC
an hour ago
- CBC
Kamloops RCMP issues public notification as sex offender set to be released under house arrest
Social Sharing RCMP in Kamloops, B.C., have released a public notification as a man with a history of sexual offences against children is set to be released on probation. Taylor Dueck pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a person under 16 years of age at an equestrian facility in Kelowna, B.C., on Feb. 9, 2024. Now, he is set to be released into house arrest in Kamloops, and RCMP are warning that the "dangerous sex offender" represents a serious risk to children under 16. Following a prison sentence for the Kelowna assault, Dueck was ordered to be under 24/7 house arrest as part of a three-year probation period, and he will be on the sex offenders' registry for life. Police say that he is forbidden from being in any public areas — including parks, swimming pools, community centres and playgrounds — where kids under 16 are reasonably expected to be present. He is also barred from contacting, or being in the presence of, anyone under 16 years old. "Taylor Dueck will be subject to monitoring in order to ensure compliance with his conditions," reads an RCMP statement. "Anyone who sees or knows of Taylor Dueck violating any of these conditions is asked to call 911 immediately." CBC News has reached out to RCMP to find out when exactly Dueck will be released into house arrest. Furor over lack of previous notification Parole board documents show Dueck has a history of sexual offences against children, and other police forces have released public notifications over his risk of reoffending. Following the sexual assault at the Kelowna equestrian facility last year, there was uproar from politicians in B.C.'s governing and opposition parties over why Kelowna RCMP did not issue a public notification that a high-risk sex offender was living in the area. WATCH | Uproar over lack of public notification: MLA demands accountability after sex offender released into Kelowna without warning 1 year ago Duration 5:02 Renee Merrifield, B.C. United MLA for Kelowna-Mission, said news that a repeat sex offender was released with no public warning and then arrested in Kelowna has traumatized the community. Taylor Dueck was arrested on Feb. 9 on allegations he sexually assaulted a youth at an equestrian school in Kelowna. The details shared by Merrifield have not been proven in court or confirmed by RCMP. Following the assault, then-public safety minister Mike Farnworth ordered an investigation into why the public wasn't notified. In a written statement, the Kelowna RCMP said at the time that it sought a public disclosure order prior to Dueck's release, but "the threshold was not met in this case based on the totality of the circumstances." In a statement issued this January, Public Safety Minister Garry Begg said the Investigation and Standards Office (ISO) found no evidence of systemic issues with B.C. Corrections and policing procedures, but the policy "had not been properly adhered to" in Dueck's case. The ISO is an independent body established by the Corrections Act that provides oversight to B.C. Corrections. The province did not make Begg available for an interview at the time, and, citing privacy concerns, did not clarify what policy was not followed. Recommendations from the ISO investigation include establishing a template for public notifications for police agencies to follow, exploring the feasibility of a public website for such notifications and strengthening language in training materials around the importance of seeking clarity on court-ordered decisions. The ministry said a working group is being established with the goal of having the recommendations fulfilled within the next six months.
CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
Motorcyclist driving 187 km/h arrested near Kelowna, RCMP say
An out of focus motorcycle is seen in this undated stock image. (Mohsan Ali Mirza/ Mounties in Kelowna say they arrested and charged a motorcyclist after a number of attempts to stop him as he sped along the Okanagan Connector. The driver was first spotted by Merritt Highway Patrol speeding on Highway 97 C Friday afternoon, according to police. The detachment didn't chase the man and instead radioed the Kelowna Integrated Road Safety Unit to advise the motorcycle was heading towards them. Around 4:30 p.m. police in Peachland clocked the motorcycle travelling 187 km/h, the RCMP says. 'Along with the high rate of speed, the suspect was weaving in and out of traffic, passing vehicles in an unsafe manner, potentially putting innocent people at risk,' reads a news release issued Saturday. Officers attempted to stop the bike but were unsuccessful, and again radioed ahead to another road safety member who saw the driver heading into West Kelowna. At the intersection of Highway 97 and Gellatly Road, officers caught up to the bike and positioned police vehicles in front of it to stop the man, according to the release. 'While an attempt was made to flee, police were able to pull the rider from the stationary motorcycle, where he was quickly arrested for dangerous driving and flight from police,' it continues. Video obtained by Castanet shows the motorcyclist lying on the ground with an officer sitting on top of him. Police say they impounded the motorcycle and the driver has been charged with excessive speeding, failing to stop for police, and driving without consideration in addition to other offences under the Motor Vehicle Act. 'Thanks to Merritt and Kelowna Highway Patrol, Kelowna IRSU and Kelowna frontline officers, this dynamic situation was brought to a quick and safe resolution. There were no reported injuries,' the news release concludes.
CTV News
3 hours ago
- CTV News
Kelowna man charged with breaking and entering, RCMP say
A suspect is captured on surveillance video breaking into a home in this image handed out by the Kelowna RCMP. Charges have been laid against a Kelowna resident accused of breaking into a home earlier this month, Mounties announced Friday. Around 6:15 a.m. on June 1, a man was caught on surveillance camera breaking into a home in the 600 block of Okanagan Boulevard, according to police. When the suspect was arrested for the incident, he was allegedly in possession of an e-bike that was reportedly stolen in another break-and-enter, from a garage in the 800 block of Fuller Avenue. Online court records indicate the arrest happened the day after the break-in. Adam James Hillner, 44, now faces charges of breaking and entering and possession of stolen property under $5,000. He is not in custody and his next court appearance is scheduled for June 12, according to the records. The Kelowna RCMP asked residents to report any incidents of theft by calling 250-762-3300.
