Twelve Males Arrested During Child Sexual Exploitation Investigation

Twelve individuals have been arrested following a proactive human trafficking enforcement initiative.

Over 10 days in October 2026, investigators conducted Project Firebird, a proactive enforcement initiative targeting individuals seeking to purchase sexual services from persons they believed to be 15 years of age. As part of the initiative, our investigators placed an online advertisement targeting individuals seeking to purchase sexual services from a person represented to be 15 years old. The advertisement received more than 8,000 views.

The investigation resulted in numerous individuals attempting to arrange meetings for sexual services with someone they believed to be a minor. As a result of the investigation, 12 individuals were arrested and face 36 Criminal Code charges and one Controlled Drugs and Substances Act charge.

Mohamed SHAFFEE, age 64, of Markham, is charged with:

Luring a Person for the Purpose of Obtaining Sexual Services Under 18
Obtaining Sexual Services Under 18
Invitation to Sexual Touching Under 16

Joshua REID, age 49, of Simcoe, is charged with:

Luring a Person for the Purpose of Obtaining Sexual Services Under 18
Obtaining Sexual Services Under 18
Invitation to Sexual Touching Under 16

Andre MCGANN, age 43, of Scarborough, is charged with:

Luring a Person for the Purpose of Obtaining Sexual Services Under 18
Obtaining Sexual Services Under 18
Invitation to Sexual Touching Under 16

Possession of a Schedule 1 Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking

Mayan RANJAN, age 39, of Ajax, is charged with:

Luring a Person for the Purpose of Obtaining Sexual Services Under 18
Obtaining Sexual Services Under 18
Invitation to Sexual Touching Under 16

Zaheed MOHAMED, age 40, of Brampton, is charged with:

Luring a Person for the Purpose of Obtaining Sexual Services Under 18
Obtaining Sexual Services Under 18
Invitation to Sexual Touching Under 16

Suresh RAVURU, age 41, of Ajax, is charged with:

Luring a Person for the Purpose of Obtaining Sexual Services Under 18
Obtaining Sexual Services Under 18
Invitation to Sexual Touching Under 16

Clement CHAN, age 36, of Whitby, is charged with:

Luring a Person for the Purpose of Obtaining Sexual Services Under 18
Obtaining Sexual Services Under 18
Invitation to Sexual Touching Under 16

Mohammad MABBOOBI, age 22, of Oshawa, is charged with:

Luring a Person for the Purpose of Obtaining Sexual Services Under 18
Obtaining Sexual Services Under 18
Invitation to Sexual Touching Under 16

MD Uzzal MRIDHA, age 49, of Scarborough, is charged with:

Luring a Person for the Purpose of Obtaining Sexual Services Under 18
Obtaining Sexual Services Under 18
Invitation to Sexual Touching Under 16

Samiullah AZIZI, age 29, of Clarington, is charged with:

Luring a Person for the Purpose of Obtaining Sexual Services Under 18
Obtaining Sexual Services Under 18
Invitation to Sexual Touching Under 16

Vincent HARESCO, age 46, of Oshawa, is charged with:

Luring a Person for the Purpose of Obtaining Sexual Services Under 18
Obtaining Sexual Services Under 18
Invitation to Sexual Touching Under 16

Devin HILL, age 42, of Clarington, is charged with:

Luring a Person for the Purpose of Obtaining Sexual Services Under 18
Obtaining Sexual Services Under 18
Invitation to Sexual Touching Under 16

Project Firebird demonstrates the ongoing demand for the sexual exploitation of children online and highlights the importance of proactive investigative techniques in identifying offenders before harm can occur. DRPS remains committed to protecting vulnerable youth, disrupting human trafficking and child exploitation networks, and holding offenders accountable.

Anyone with information about these incidents is asked to contact the Human Trafficking Unit at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 5600.

The DRPS thanks the Ontario Government for its funding support of our Children at Risk of Exploitation (CARE) unit. Our CARE unit combines the expertise of police officers and child

protection workers to identify, investigate, locate and engage with children and youth at high risk of child sex trafficking. If you or someone you know has been affected by human trafficking, please come forward to our investigators for support. The Region of Durham has established a support network for survivors, accessible through www.stopht.com. Parents and caregivers can also use this resource to educate children about recognizing the signs of human trafficking.

Victim Services of Durham Region offers confidential support without judgement, available at www.victimservicesdurham.ca.

Together, we can make a difference in combating human trafficking. If you have any information or concerns, please reach out to the DRPS Human Trafficking Unit.

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