Ten individuals are facing charges because of an undercover operation targeting human trafficking on the Tsuut’ina Nation, police said Friday. The Nation’s police service says Project Buffalo was an operation investigating the sexual exploitation of underage Indigenous girls. Police discovered in May that several individuals had arranged meetings to obtain sexual services from minors. Thirty-one charges were laid, ranging from child luring, obtaining sexual services from a minor and invitation to sexual touching from a minor. Officials said the accused are not members of the Tsuut’ina Nation. “This investigation highlights the importance of proactive policing initiatives and collaboration with survivor-informed organizations to combat human trafficking and protect vulnerable members of our community,” said Tsuut’ina Nation Police Chief Keith Blake in a release. “We remain committed to disrupting the demand for sexual services and safeguarding our Nation.” Police say efforts like Project Buffalo are essential because of the overrepresentation of Indigenous people as victims of human trafficking. If you or someone you know may be a victim of human trafficking, please reach out to the following organization for support:
