Cape Breton Regional Police have charged 27 men with prostitution-related offences in connection with an investigation in downtown Sydney.

“It’s more serious than people believe,” said Sgt. Jodie Wilson of the Safety Enforcement Unit.

Police say their probe involved months of increased visibility and foot patrols, as well as dedicated resources, including the use of undercover police officers.

Almost 100 men and 35 women were involved in the prostitution sting and most of the arrests were made in the Sydney area over a seven-day period.

Businesses in Sydney complained about prostitutes near their store fronts months ago, leading to a police investigation.

“This has been a major disruption in our community,” said Cape Breton Regional Police Chief Peter McIsaac. “I can tell you it's been happening in all hours of the day and night – people engaging in sexual activity at two o'clock in the afternoon. It's disturbing and it's not going to be tolerated by our police service.”

Chief McIsaac says opioid addiction is a major contributing factor for the spike in prostitution.

“This is a serious issue involving the girls,” he said. “Ninety-nine per cent of them on the street are not there by choice – they're down there by their circumstances. It's survival. There are addictions involved here, lack of housing, lack of food, lack of structure and education.”

Residents from the area were not surprised by Tuesday’s announcement.

“I've actually seen it happen,” said Angel Griffin. “I'm not that surprised. I’m glad they've cracked down, though.”

The following men have been charged with obtaining sexual services for consideration:

  • Faris Hamed Alharbi, 26, Sydney
  • Carl Alexander Bedford, 49, Sydney
  • Wayne Barry Boudreau, 66, Sydney
  • Carl Hugh Ellison, 76, Dominion
  • Frank Peter Gale, 57, North Sydney
  • Joseph Leonard Harris, 47, Sydney
  • Carman Douglas Hood, 51, Point Aconi
  • Hayden Dilwyn Lahey, 66, Catalone
  • David Wayne Ley, 65, Sydney
  • David Charles MacDonald, 65, Bay St. Lawrence
  • John James MacDonald, 70, Big Pond
  • Shaun Patrick MacDonald, 44, Dutch Brook
  • Thomas Clevison MacDonald, 60, Northside East Bay
  • John Howard MacLean, 66, Membertou
  • Sheldon MacLean, 78, Gardiner Mines
  • Winston William Matheson, 74, Sydney
  • Gordon Earnest McLean, 66, Howie Centre
  • Arthur George Meade, 65, Main-a-Dieu
  • John Russell Mercer, 72, Sydney Forks
  • Gerald Roger Muise, 62, Cheticamp
  • Wayne Clifford Penny, 70, Sydney
  • Michael Albert Perry, 49, Sydney River
  • Giuseppi Luigi Pettorelli, 53, Sydney
  • James Mimi Sifnakis, 81, Sydney
  • Hisham Fathy Sleem, 40, Sydney
  • David Reid Timmons, 69, Pleasant Bay
  • Kenneth Ralph Urquhart, 68, Sydney

All 27 men were released on a promise to appear in Sydney provincial court on Oct. 5.

Police say more charges could be laid.

With files from CTV Atlantic’s Kyle Moore.