4 charged in southern Manitoba after thousands of child pornography images found: RCMP

Four men have been arrested in connection with a child exploitation investigation in southern Manitoba that resulted in the seizure of thousands of child pornography, RCMP say.

The Manitoba RCMP's Internet Child Exploitation Unit says three children under the age of six have been removed from situations where they were “sexually abused and exploited.”

Five search warrants were executed in three separate communities in southern Manitoba between March 18 and 25, according to Taular.

“The RCMP is not identifying the individuals or communities that were part of the investigation to protect the identities of the victims,” ​​police said in a news release.

Four suspects, aged between 37 and 56, were charged with distributing, uploading or possessing child pornography. One of the suspects was charged with child pornography.

The Manitoba ICE unit was assisted by the RCMP's National Child Exploitation Crimes Centre, police said.

“It's four arrests and three children removed from traumatic situations in just 10 days. I can say it's been successful and it's about getting the kids to safety, but when it comes to the material we've seized it's really a drop in the bucket,” said Cpl. RCMP ICE Officer Gord Olson said in a statement.

“I know people are surprised at how much child sexual abuse and exploitation material they come across, but the truth is, the problem is huge. It exists in every community, so many children suffer from it. We will continue to do everything we can to combat child exploitation and encourage parents to be mindful of how their children behave on social media.”

RCMP are continuing to investigate.