Edmonton police charge 26 'johns' in sex-trade enforcement effort

Edmonton police have charged 26 men after a two-day crackdownfocused on "johns" who buy services from sex workers.

The enforcement effort on Feb. 9 and 10 was conducted by the Edmonton Police Service VICE Unit and Northeast division officers.

It was designed to target exploitative activities associated with the street-level sex trade.

Police wouldn't specify exactly where the enforcement effort took place other than that it was in the city's northeast.

The 26 men includingtrade workers, professionals, a university student and the unemployed were charged with obtaining of sexual services for consideration. The men are between the ages of 19 and 60.

Police also laid two trafficking charges and one 24-hour suspension under the Traffic Safety Act.

Anyone who witnesses someone soliciting sex is encouraged to call the EPSReport-a-john line at 780-421-2656.