It’s one of the largest child pornography busts. Project Spade was led by Canadian authorities and has led to the arrest of 348 people – 108 Canadians, 76 Americans and 164 residents of other countries in Europe, Africa, Latin America and Asia – globally and the rescue of 386 children.
According to Toronto inspector Joanna Beaven-Desjardins, “It is alleged that officers seized hundreds of thousands of videos detailing horrific sexual acts against very young children, some of the worst that they have ever viewed.”
The three-year operation started with the investigation of Brian Way, 42, owner of Toronto-based Azov Films. He’s accused of instructing people around the world to create the videos of children ranging from 5 to 12 years of age, then distributing the child pornography videos to customers internationally, netting $4million in revenue.
In Canada alone, 40 teachers, 32 volunteers, nine doctors and nurses, six law enforcement personnel, nine faith leaders and three foster parents – individuals responsible of the safety and care of children – were arrested by authorities. A youth baseball coach in Washington state is alleged to have produced more than 500 films.
“(It was) very clearly child pornography, clearly children being sexually abused and/or exploited,” she explains.
Customers could buy about an hour of X-rated video and receive photos at a discount that , delivered online or by mail for on average $40.
During the seizure, more than 350,000 images and over 9,000 videos of graphic child sexual abused were seized.
“(It was) very clearly child pornography, clearly children being sexually abused and/or exploited,” Beaven-Desjardins offers. “Sometimes they set up in backyards … and saunas.”
Toronto police Chief Bill Blair comments, saying the investigation was “extraordinary.”
“There is no greater responsibility of those who serve and protect than the protection of our children. And exploitation of children is a crime for which law enforcement comes together united around the world to do our very best.”
