A total of 386 children were rescued in a Canadian child porn sting. Authorities in Toronto said the children were recovered from numerous locations worldwide. The sting also led to the arrest of 348 people who are accused of producing, distributing, and purchasing child pornography.
Authorities said Project Spade began with the investigation of a Toronto man, who is accused distributing child porn films. Beginning in 2005, the 42-year-old man reportedly paid people to make the films, which feature children between the ages of 5 and 12.
In 2010, Toronto police became suspicious of the man’s business. Toronto Police Service Chief William Blair said undercover agents confirmed their suspicions.
A majority of the films were distributed through the man’s website, which made more than $4 million per year in profits. Officials raided the man’s company and seized nearly 45 terabytes of data.
According to Google News , the data was used to identify those who produced and purchased the films. The data also helped authorities identify and rescue 386 children who were sexually abused and exploited in the films’ production.
The investigation was a collaborative effort between the United States Postal Inspection Service and authorities around the world.
Project Spade eventually led to the arrests of 108 people in Canada, 76 in the US, and more than 100 people throughout Asia and Europe. ABC News reports that those arrested include celebrities , school teachers, and medical doctors.
Officials are calling it “one of the largest child porn busts” they have ever seen. Although the names of the suspects have not been released to the public, authorities said they are facing numerous charges for crimes against children .
Child pornography rings continue to operate worldwide, exploiting and abusing children of all ages. Fortunately, sting operations similar to Project Spade are responsible for rescuing hundreds of children.
Thanks to Project Spade, 386 more children were rescued from unthinkable abuse.
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