TNP and CPS have recently concluded a human trafficking

The Tsuut'ina Nation Police Service and the Calgary Police Service have recently concluded a human trafficking investigation, named Project Buffalo, which has led to the arrest of 10 individuals on various charges related to the purchasing of sexual services from underage Indigenous girls. This collaborative effort aimed to address the issue of human trafficking on the Tsuut'ina Nation.

During the month of May, multiple individuals were caught in the act of arranging meetings for sexual services with minors as part of the operation. The 10 males who were apprehended are facing a total of 31 charges, which include:

- Luring a Child for the Purpose of Obtaining Sexual Services for Consideration from a Person Under 18 years (Section 172.1(1)(a) of the Criminal Code of Canada)
- Obtaining Sexual Services for Consideration from a Person Under 18 years (Section 286.1(2) of the Criminal Code of Canada)
- Invitation to Sexual Touching Under 16 years of age (Section 152 of the Criminal Code of Canada)

It is important to note that all of the accused individuals are non-nation members. The investigation highlights the persistent problem of human trafficking, particularly involving Indigenous youth in Canada.

For any media inquiries regarding this case, Insp. Dawn Blake of the Tsuut'ina Nation Police Service can be contacted at 403-607-3296. Additionally, if anyone suspects they or someone they know is a victim of human trafficking, they are encouraged to reach out to the following support agencies:

- Tsuut'ina Nation Police: 403-271-3777
- Calgary Police Service: 403-268-CITY (2489)
- Alberta RCMP non-emergency line: 310-RCMP or 310-7267
- RESET: 403-918-7311
- Stoney Corrections Victim Services: 403-669-0142
- Calgary Victim Services: 1-888-327-7828
- ALERT: 1-800-222-8477

The hashtag #Notinmycity and the associated website notinmycity.ca are also provided as resources for those looking to report suspicious activity or seek help regarding human trafficking. Human trafficking is a serious crime that affects communities across Canada, and it is crucial that collaborative efforts like Project Buffalo continue to dismantle these networks and protect vulnerable individuals.