A 64-year-old man who was living in The Pas, Manitoba, is facing drug and sexual exploitation-related charges after recently being arrested by RCMP.

On June 12, 2018, Opaskwayak Cree Nation RCMP and The Pas RCMP began an investigation into a male they believed was trafficking methamphetamine. During the course of the investigation, a traffic stop was conducted on the suspect. As a result, methamphetamine and items related to the trafficking of the drug were located.

Continued investigation determined that the suspect was involved in the sexual exploitation of multiple youth and was attempting to obtain sexual services from those youth in exchange for drugs and alcohol.

RCMP report that 64-year-old Eric Leonard Richards from Athabasca, AB (but living in The Pas) is facing numerous drug and sexual exploitation-related charges.

Richards remains in custody.