WARNING – The following story talks about child exploitation
A Lethbridge resident is among seven people arrested in connection with an investigation into child sexual exploitation.
The ALERT ICE unit launched Operation ICE Storm in June, which focused on high-level targets sharing and distributing large collections of child sexual exploitation materials via peer-to-peer file sharing networks.
According to officials, Operation ICE Storm prioritized suspects they allege had the “largest collections and some of the most graphic content.”
During the investigation, police seized more than 40 computers and electronic devices, and forensic investigators are said to have found more than 405,000 images and 11,000 videos of child sexual exploitation material.
Staff Sergeant Mark Auger says this investigation highlights the amount of data the ICE unit needs to go through.
“We know everyday thousands of child sexual abuse material is being downloaded, viewed and shared in communities big and small across Alberta,” Auger says. “One of the devices seized held more than 300,000 images.”
Between June and August, officers arrested seven suspects, five of whom were from Calgary between the ages of 26 and 55, along with a 51-year-old from Red Deer and a 42-year-old from Lethbridge.
All seven suspects are facing charges connected to child pornography, including possession of child pornography and access to child pornography.
According to officials, investigators do not believe any of the victims in the material are from Alberta, nor have any hands-on offences taken place.
The ICE unit was supported in this investigation by the Calgary Police Service, Lethbridge Police Service and Red Deer RCMP.
