Winnipeg police arrest 13 men in a proactive offender crackdown aimed at exploitation

Winnipeg police have arrested 13 men in a series of proactive offender investigations conducted following reports of youth being propositioned in local neighborhoods and online.

Between September 27 and October 2, the police Counter Exploitation Unit (CEU) carried out these checks in the North and West End neighborhoods as part of the Indigenous Women and Girls Safety Strategy.

The WPS says in a press release that the arrested persons, ranging in age from 23 to 62 years old, are charged with obtaining sexual services for consideration. All have been released due to obligations as prescribed by the Criminal Code.

In addition to the arrests, eleven vehicles were seized under the Highway Traffic Act, and several individuals working in the sex industry were offered community benefits.

CEU encourages anyone with information about exploitation issues to contact them at 204-986-3464 or contact them anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 204-786-TIPS.