Durham police say they have charged 12 people in Project Firebird, a proactive enforcement initiative targeting individuals who were allegedly looking to purchase sexual services from a 15-year-old. The operation took place over 10 days in October. Detective Sergeant Michael Naccarato said police placed an online ad targeting those seeking to purchase sexual services from a person represented to be 15 years old. He said it was made “very clear” through communication that the person in the ad was 15. “Despite that, several individuals continued communicating and arranged to meet with someone that they believed to be a 15-year-old child,” Naccarato said. “The advertisement received more than 8,000 views in the time it was live, and generated responses from individuals who expressed interest and, in some cases, arranged meetings.” The 12 individuals who were charged are now facing dozens of charges, police said. Deputy Chief Ryan Connolly said the operation highlights a growing concern for police over the rising proportion of children and youth represented in human trafficking cases. In 2024, 41 per cent of the victims and individuals identified as “at risk” were under the age of 18. In 2025, that increased to 49 per cent. Connolly said the “at risk” designation includes those who have actually been trafficked as well as those who have been contacted for trafficking. “So far in 2026, 55 per cent are under the age of 18,” Connolly said. “In real numbers, that represents 87 young people in 2024, 95 in 2025, and 96 so far this year. That should concern every one of us. More than half of the victims and individuals identified as at risk this year are children.” This is a breaking news story. More details to come...
