Project Firebird has led to 12 arrests and 37 charges following a 10-day online enforcement operation in October, Durham Regional Police announced November 5.
Police say investigators targeted people seeking to purchase sexual services from someone they believed was 15. The operation involved an online advertisement placed by investigators, not an announcement that a real child had been advertised by police.
The service says the advertisement received more than 8,000 views and that numerous people tried to arrange meetings. Investigators ultimately laid 36 Criminal Code charges and one charge under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
What police allege
According to the release, each of the 12 accused faces charges described as luring a person for the purpose of obtaining sexual services under 18, obtaining sexual services under 18, and invitation to sexual touching under 16.
One accused, Andre McGann of Scarborough, also faces a charge of possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking. The police announcement does not identify the substance in its summary.
The allegations have not been proven in court. An arrest or charge is not a finding of guilt, and the release does not provide outcomes for any of the cases.
Accused include Durham residents
Police identify the accused as Mohamed Shaffee, 64, of Markham; Joshua Reid, 49, of Simcoe; Andre McGann, 43, of Scarborough; Mayan Ranjan, 39, of Ajax; Zaheed Mohamed, 40, of Brampton; and Suresh Ravuru, 41, of Ajax.
The remaining accused are Clement Chan, 36, of Whitby; Mohammad Mabboobi, 22, of Oshawa; MD Uzzal Mridha, 49, of Scarborough; Samiullah Azizi, 29, of Clarington; Vincent Haresco, 46, of Oshawa; and Devin Hill, 42, of Clarington.
The November results concern an October operation. They should not be confused with an earlier Project Firebird announcement about six arrests following activity in January. The people and period identified in the new release are different.
Police describe prevention focus
Durham police say the initiative is intended to identify people attempting to exploit children before harm occurs. The service also acknowledged Ontario government support for its Children at Risk of Exploitation unit, known as CARE.
That unit brings police officers and child-protection workers together to identify, investigate, locate and engage with young people at high risk of sex trafficking, according to the service.
Police have asked anyone with information about these incidents to contact the Human Trafficking Unit at 1-888-579-1520, extension 5600. People affected by human trafficking can also approach investigators for support.
The release directs survivors and families to the Region of Durham’s human-trafficking support network and Victim Services of Durham Region. It also identifies those resources as places for parents and caregivers to learn about warning signs.
The official police release is the source for the names, ages, municipalities and charge totals in this report. CTV News separately reported the announcement on November 5.
Sources
- Durham Regional Police: November 5 investigation results
- CTV News: November 5 at 10:39 a.m. EST; accessible headline and video summary
Featured image: original conceptual editorial illustration, not documentary photography.
