A massive three-year anti-child porn investigation that began with a bust in Toronto, Canada is posting some impressive numbers:  386 children rescued around the world, most of them pre-teens.  And cops arrested 348 suspects – 65 of them in Australia.

“Project Spade” grew from an arrest in 2011 of a Toronto-based firm that allegedly sold DVDs and streamed videos of naked children.  “Azov Films” marketed the footage as “naturist” and claimed they were legal in Canada and the US.  Cops say those films were distributed in 94 countries. That company is shut down.

More disturbing than the ring’s reach were the types of people arrested.  The very people who were supposed to be protecting children – doctors, schoolteachers, priests, and people who cared for foster children – were among those detained, said Toronto police Inspector Joanna Beavan-Desjardins.

Besides Canada and Oz, other countries involved in the investigation include the US, Spain, Mexico, South Africa, Hong Kong, Norway, Greece, Sweden, and the Republic of Ireland.

Arrests began in August during the Australian-based component of the operation, known as “Operation Thunderer” with those charged facing a combined 399 charges of child exploitation offences.  Police arrested a Catholic priest, a former priest and two teachers, all from New South Wales.  But the most suspects were found in Queensland, 32 people there facing charges.

Of the 386 victims of the ring who were rescued from harm worldwide, six are in Australia – Five in Western Australia, and one in the ACT.