15-year-old girl trafficked for sex by group based in Lethbridge and Calgary, police say

Ten men and boys face charges oftraffickinga 15-year-old girl for sex, the Lethbridge Police Service said Friday.

Two of the accused have warrants out for their arrest.

Police say the group is believed to be responsible for the sexual exploitation, sexual assault and trafficking of the minor.

During an investigation, it waslearned that thegirl was selected and groomed by multiple individuals.

They would arrange her transportation to specific locationswhere the offences took place, police said.

The victim often did not know details of these meetings, the police release says.

Investigators learned that the girl engaged in sexual activity with a 13-year-old victim.

The number of victims connected to the investigationhasnot been confirmed.

Police say it is believed thoseinvolved in these crimes are all from Lethbridge and Calgary. They include abusiness owner anda physician as well as multiple youth.

Police have chargedthe following eight people. They are in custody pending a bail hearing.

Fadi (Stawi) Chtewi, 20, faces charges of:

• Sexual interference.
• Invitation to sexual touching.
• Two counts of sexual assault.
• Sexual assault party to offence with another person (more than one person involved in the sex assault).
• Two counts of aggravated sexual assault.
• Trafficking persons under 18.

Abdulla Mohammed, 19, faces charges of:

• Sexual interference.
• Invitation to sexual touching.
• Two counts of sexual assault.
• Sexual assault party to offence with another person (more than one person involved in the sex assault).
• Two counts of aggravated sexual assault.
• Trafficking persons under 18.

Mohammad Neirabani, 22,faces charges of:

• Sexual interference.
• Invitation to sexual touching.
• Sexual assault.
• Sexual assault causing bodily harm.
• Sexual assault party to offence with another person.
• Aggravated sexual assault.
• Trafficking persons under 18.
• Child luring.

Mahmoud Nirabani, 20, faces charges of:

• Sexual interference.
• Invitation to sexual touching.
• Two counts of sexual assault.
• Sexual assault party to offence with another person.
• Two counts of aggravated sexual assault.
• Trafficking persons under 18.

Ziyaad Noor, 37, faces charges of:

• Sexual interference.
• Invitation to sexual touching.
• Sexual assault.
• Sexual assault causing bodily harm.
• Sexual assault party to offence with another person.
• Aggravated sexual assault.
• Trafficking persons under 18.

Mohammad Zafari, 20,faces charges of:

• Sexual interference.
• Invitation to sexual touching.
• Two counts of sexual assault.
• Sexual assault party to an offence with another person.
• Aggravated sexual assault.
• Trafficking persons under 18.

A 17-year-old male, who cannot be identified, faces charges of:

• Two counts of sexual assault.
• Sexual assault causing bodily harm.
• Two counts of sexual assault party to offence with another person.
• Two counts of aggravated sexual assault.
• Trafficking persons under 18.
• Child luring.

A 16-year-old boy, who cannot be identified, faces charges of:

• Sexual assault.
• Sexual assault causing bodily harm.
• Sexual assault - party to offence with another person.
• Aggravated sexual assault.
• Trafficking persons under 18.

Police say two others identified have warrants out for their arrest.

Meriton Krasniqi, 26, faces charges of:

• Sexual interference.
• Invitation to sexual touching.
• Two counts of sexual assault.
• Sexual assault causing bodily harm.
• Sexual assault party to offence with another person.
• Aggravated sexual assault.
• Trafficking persons under 18.

Khaled Alsaid, 22,faces charges of:

• Sexual assault.
• Invitation to sexual touching.
• Sexual interference.

Police are asking anyone with information in relation to this investigation to contact Acting Sgt. Bryan Whelpleyof the Lethbridge Police Serviceat 403-330-5167 or to contactCrime Stoppersanonymously.

Thisinvestigation involved the Lethbridge police, RCMP, the Calgary Police Service and ALERT's human trafficking counter exploitation unit.