Manitoba RCMP makes child pornography arrest

Manitoba RCMP have made four arrests and removed three children from dangerous situations last month following a child exploitation investigation.

The arrests occurred over an eight-day period in late March. During that time, the RCMP's Internet Child Exploitation Unit issued five warrants, arrested four men and removed three children under the age of six from situations of sexual abuse and exploitation.

During the search between March 18 and March 25, the police found tens of thousands of child pornography.

The RCMP notes that three communities in southern Manitoba are involved in this investigation. However, police are not releasing the names of those communities or the suspects to protect the identities of the victims.

The four arrested men, aged 37, 40, 42 and 56, were charged with distributing/uploading/possessing child pornography. One of the suspects was charged with child pornography.

Corp. Gord Olson, with the Internet Child Exploitation Unit, said in a press release that the investigation was just a “drop in the bucket” for the materials officers seized.

“I know people are surprised at how much child sexual abuse and exploitation material they come across, but the truth is, it's a huge problem,” he said.

“It's in every community, so a lot of kids are affected by it. We are doing everything we can to combat child exploitation and encourage parents to be mindful of how your children are engaging on social media.”

The investigation is ongoing.