02-06-2025
10 men facing charges after human trafficking investigation on Tsuut'ina Nation
Ten men are facing 31 charges following a human trafficking investigation intended to combat the purchasing of sexual services from underage Indigenous girls on Tsuut'ina Nation.
Members of the Tsuut'ina Nation Police Service, in partnership with the Calgary Police Service, launched "Project Buffalo" in May, said Tim Daley, acting staff sergeant in charge of operations for Tsuut'ina police.
"This is something that I think is happening everywhere, and it's just something we're not going to allow to keep happening, especially within our community," Daley said.
In May, multiple individuals arranged meetings for sexual services with minors, according to police.
All those arrested were non-members of the Tsuut'ina Nation. Charges include luring a child for the purpose of obtaining sexual services, obtaining sexual services from a person under 18, and invitation to sexual touching involving individuals under 16.
"There's an overrepresentation of Indigenous women and girls within the sex trade that are being sexually exploited," Daley said.
"This is our way of protecting those of our community, and maybe to send a message to the criminal element out there that it's not going to happen here."
Daley said that operations are still in their very early stages, with much more work to be done.
