Article content

TORONTO — At least 386 children have been rescued from sexual exploitation and hundreds of suspects arrested in a sweeping child pornography investigation that began with a Toronto man, police revealed Thursday.

“It’s a first for the magnitude of the victims saved,” said Insp Joanna Beaven-Desjardins, of the force’s Sex Crimes Unit. “The amount of arrests internationally, also a first.”

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Project Spade, massive international child porn bust centred on Toronto, nets 348 arrests in ‘horrific sexual acts’ Back to video

At least 348 people were arrested around the world as part of Project Spade, including 50 in Ontario and 58 from other parts of Canada.

School teachers, doctors, nurses, pastors and foster parents are among those facing charges in the wide-ranging operation that can be traced back to a business operating out of Toronto’s west end, police said.

“Its success has been extraordinary,” Beaven-Desjardins said of the investigation which spanned more than 50 countries.

“When we work together regardless of the borders that divide us, we can successfully track down those who not only prey on our most vulnerable but also those who profit from it.”