NSW Police detectives have arrested eight men – aged 34 to 71 – and seized mobile phones and illicit drugs as part of an ongoing investigation into the alleged transmission of child abuse material through an adult telephone service.
Earlier this year, Child Exploitation Internet Unit (CEIU) investigators established Strike Force Hank to investigate an adult telephone chat service used by a number of men to allegedly arrange the dissemination of child abuse material and discuss the sexual abuse of children, NSW Police said in a statement today.
Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent Jayne Doherty, said the investigation had uncovered alleged chat participants who were aggressive in their pursuit of child sex offending.
“We will allege that each of the men arrested by detectives over the past month expressed desires to engage in sexual activity with children, and in some cases, attempted to access child abuse material from other users of the service,” Det Supt Doherty said.
“Producing, disseminating or possessing child abuse material are serious offences, and detectives will continue to dismantle these types of operations, so children are free from harmful situations, exploitation and abuse.”
Detectives executed seven search warrants at locations across NSW, including Petersham, Cranebrook, Coffs Harbour, Shoal Bay, Gerroa, Surry Hills, and Stanmore.
“During a subsequent search of the homes at Stanmore and Coffs Harbour, police allegedly located and seized quantities of cannabis,” NSW Police said.
“Additionally, mobiles phones and electronic devices were located and seized for further forensic analysis from all seven locations.”
Seven men – aged between 34 and 71 – were arrested during the warrants and charged over their alleged involvement in the chat service. They remain before the courts.
Following further inquiries, Strike Force Hank detectives attended a home at Sans Souci about 6.30am today.
During a subsequent search, police located and seized a mobile phone for further forensic examination.
A 40-year-old man was arrested and taken to Kogarah Police Station, where he was charged with five counts of use carriage service transmit or publish or promote child abuse.
The man was granted conditional bail to appear at Sutherland Local Court on Tuesday 11 January 2022.
Anyone with information that may assist Strike Force Hank investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.
