Brandon Sun

Brandon police make sex crimes arrests

More than 20 men were arrested during a joint operation targeting sexual exploitation in the City of Brandon.

Project Blockade was conducted by Brandon Police Service's organized crime section and Winnipeg Police Service's counter exploitation unit, with support from the Manitoba Criminal Intelligence Centre.

The two-day operation aimed to "disrupt both street-level and online exploitation activities," the BPS said in a news release Thursday.

Last week, officers arrested 23 men for obtaining sexual services for consideration, or communicating in any place for that purpose. The arrests were made in multiple locations across the city, including downtown Brandon and local hotels, the release said.

Police seized seven vehicles that were used in prostitution-related offences, the BPS said. All of the accused were released on undertakings.

Project Blockade demonstrated the importance of collaboration when tackling exploitation within communities, BPS Staff Sgt. D. Andrew said.

"These crimes often operate in the shadows, and co-ordinated efforts like this are essential in protecting vulnerable individuals and sending a clear message that this behaviour will not be tolerated," he said in the release.

Brandon police said investigators are analyzing the evidence, and asked anyone with information to contact BPS at 204-729-2345 (tel:204-729-2345) or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477 (tel:1-800-222-8477) (TIPS).

– Brandon Sun