(Image source from: KTAR.com)

About 24 men arrested in the Phoenix metro area, authorities say during a multi-agency operation to crack down on child sex crimes.

Mesa police say they partnered with the Tempe, Gilbert and Chandler police departments and the Arizona Attorney General's Office as part of the recent undercover operation.

Over a six-day period, undercover detectives placed advertisements on websites usually used by suspects looking to execute illegal sex acts, especially with children.

According to police, all the 24 suspects solicited or made deals for various sex acts with the undercover detectives before they were arrested.

The suspects ranged in age from 21 to 80 years old.

By Sowmya Sangam