Winnipeg police had partnered with other agencies and units to crack down the sex trade criminal group.
From Friday to Sunday, the police counter-exploitation/missing person unit partnered with general patrol officers and community outreach workers – from StreetReach, Winnipeg Outreach Network, Resource Assistance for Youth, MaMaWi, and the Bear Clan Patrol – to combat the problem.
Police had arrested 18 men on sex trade-related charges, also 16 vehicles were seized during the operation. Officers were also able to locate 6 teenagers that were previously reported missing, that possibly was used for prostitution and other sex trade-related crimes.
A large group of men was arrested and are now facing multiple charges. The investigation is still ongoing, there is a lot of work still needs to be done, a big pile of paperwork to finish for the case to go to court. Police also hopes the suspects will start cooperating with the investigation to provide information, that could lead to more arrest and possibly will help locate other missing people.
This operation is one of the largest in 2018 in Winnipeg, also it involved a number of other agencies, that showed a well-coordinated work between can show great results and will help to clear our city and save those in need.