KITSAP COUNTY — Nine people were arrested and charged with either sexual abuse of a child, possession of child pornography or sexual exploitation of a child after undercover law enforcement officers wrapped-up a two-week-long operation.

The officers communicated with individuals interested in sexual exploitation of children and generated hundreds of responses. Nine of those people went so far as to agree to meet at a predesignated location where they were then arrested.

The sting was a collaborative effort involving the Washington State Patrol’s Criminal Investigative Division, the Investigative Assistance Division, the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Kitsap County prosecutors.

“Child exploitation is a serious problem in our country,” a WSP press release stated. “The WSP is very proud of all the men and woman involved in bringing these individuals to justice.”

The arrests were made possible with the efforts of organizations and task forces including the Missing and Exploited Children Task Force, Operation Underground Railroad, Missing and Unidentified Person’s Unit, the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force and the High Tech Crimes Unit.