Police in Quebec and Ontario arrest a dozen suspected pedophiles

Police raided a dozen locations across Quebec and Ontario on Wednesday as they rounded up a ring of suspected pedophiles and child pornographers.

Sgt. Joyce Kemp of the Sureté du Quebec said police arrested 13 people, aged 27 to 74, in Quebec City, Trois Rivieres, and other locations. Seven of those arrested are from Montreal.

Kemp said the people are accused of taking part in online discussions and sharing tips and tactics to sexually exploit children.

"The suspects would communicate, have discussions on forums about their own sexual experiences with children and they also would talk about tactics to use and places to go to for the purpose of abusing children without awakening suspicion," said Kemp.

She added that police from the SQ and the RCMP began their investigation of this group of people in 2013, in an operation known as ‘Project Malaise.’

“This investigation was launched in April of 2013 for several reasons but following also information that we had received from the public,” said Kemp.

Homes were searched Wednesday morning, and computers have been seized for further examination.

An additional five people were met by police.

Both the SQ and the RCMP are part of the investigative unit dedicated to online sexual exploitation of children. Police say there could be more arrests.