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By Stew Kernan

Eighty people, including one youth are facing 274 charges in a province-wide investigation targeting the exploitation of children online.

The charges laid include sexual assault, possession of child pornography as well as making, distributing and accessing child pornography.

Drug and weapons-related charges were also laid.

Greater Sudbury Police says four search warrants were issued this past week locally with three people arrested.

A 30 year old man, who can’t be identified to protect a child victim and Luc St. Louis of Hanmer are facing child porn charges while Darren Golden of Sudbury was arrested and is facing various child porn and drug related charges.

O-P-P say the investigation,  which involved several police forces and other government agencies, identified 20 victims and referred them to community-based resources for assistance.