DRUMMONDVILLE -- Nine men were arrested in Drummondville as part of an operation to combat luring minors online to procure sexual favours.

The Surete du Quebec's Major Crime Investigation Service of Boucherville in collaboration with the Cybercrime Investigation Division conducted several interventions at a hotel on Wednesday and Thursday.

The actions specifically targeted clients attempting to purchase sexual services from persons under 18 years of age.

SQ spokesperson Ingrid Asselin said officers arrested the men who allegedly showed up to buy sexual services from a girl, who was a minor.

Asselin said the men met the girl online and allegedly knew that she was under 18 years old. Police report that money was exchanged in the hotel room, and that they prevented any sexual assaults or contact from happening.

The nine men arrested are between 29 and 51 years old.

One of the arrested men, William Osadchuk, 35, of Saint-Pie, appeared Oct. 3 to face charges of luring and obtaining sexual services for the payment of a person under 18 years of age.

The other suspects will appear later to face similar charges, the SQ said.

This report by the Canadian Press was first published Oct. 4, 2019.

With reporting from CTV News.