The American Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have delivered a blow to a child pornography ring on the internet, As a result of the 'Candyman' operation, which lasted 14 months, 86 people in 26 states were arrested, among them 2 Catholic priests, 6 church workers, a school bus driver and a police officer.
In an FBI statement, it was pointed out that three internet discussion groups on the web site of the Yahoo company had been targeted. As one of these now-closed groups was called 'Candyman', the same name was given to the operation.
7,000 members were registered in the "Candyman" group, but the FBI could only reach 1,400 of them in America. As the operation is continuing, the names of the two other groups were not given.
The FBI said that Yahoo directors had been of assistance to them in providing information about people registered in the groups. Everyone in the group could exchange messages, pictures and videos.
FOREIGN NEWS SERVICE