2 million child porn images seized in QLD, nine arrested

Two million images have been confiscated and further arrests will be made after forensic examination of seized computer equipment is finalised.

Significantly, one arrest led to the rescue of a four-year-old Queensland child from two years of alleged abuse by her grandfather.

The most severe of those arrested includes a 47-year-old Kallangur man charged with four counts of indecent dealing with a child under 12 years of age and 134 charges of indecent dealing by taking indecent photographs. As well as, one charge of using a carriage service to access child exploitation material and two charges of possession of child exploitation material. He is due to reappear on December 12.

Furthermore, a 29-year-old Chevron Island man was charged with 18 counts of possession of child exploitation material. He will appear in the Southport Magistrates Court on November 29.

Detective acting inspector Rouse from Task Force Argos said: “Whilst we rarely have the opportunity to impact on commercial producers of child abuse websites, we will always ensure that the individual Australians that finance and perpetuate the abuse of these children are prosecuted.”

The arrests came off the back of an investigation commenced by Queensland State Crime Operations Command Task Force Argos in late 2006 which resulted in the capture of an Italian child abuse film maker and the rescue of 23 children in Europe.

The operation now involves 28 countries and in Australia has evolved into a nation operation codenamed “Pariah”. A collaboration with State and Territory law enforcement partners and the Australian Federal Police Online Child Sexual Exploitation Team.

Detective Superintendent Peter Crawford from the Queensland State Crime Operations Commands Child Safety and Sexual Crimes Investigation Group said it was very rewarding to see the level of national and international cooperation displayed in the operation.

“The dismantling of a commercial child pornography enterprise and the removal of 23 children from harm in Europe and a child in Queensland is an outstanding result.

“There is no lower form of human behaviour than those that preside over the commercial sexual exploitation of children,” he said.

Others arrested include 64-year-old Parkwood man, a 60-year-old Mt Gravatt man, a 54-year-old Labrador man, a 50-year-old man, a 48-year-old Mackay man, a 36-year-old Cairns man and a 33-year-old Forestdale man.

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