Durham Regional Police announce the results of “Project Firebird,” a human trafficking investigation focusing on early intervention and protecting vulnerable individuals.
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.
“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 a combined 37 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.”
The 12 men charged range in age from 22 to 64 and are from around the GTA. They are all facing charges of luring a person for the purpose of obtaining sexual services under 18, obtaining sexual services under 18 and invitation to sexual touching under 16. Police named them as follows.