Arrests after child porn smuggled into NZ by ship

Five laptops and 14 computer hard drives allegedly containg child sex abuse material were seized by Customs officials from vessels arriving at the Port of Tauranga. File photo / Thinkstock

A month-long operation has left Customs officials horrified by the amount of child sex abuse material seized from vessels arriving at the Port of Tauranga.

Officials seized 14 computer hard drives and five laptop computers with objectionable material, such as child sexual abuse, during Operation League.

"The nature of the material is horrific and horrible, but I am pleased we have been able to stop the distribution of it in Tauranga," said Tauranga Customs chief officer Steve Wineti.

"One of my officers suggested we go ahead with the operation after three seizures in the past 18 months; I thought it was a good idea, so ran with it."

The SunLive website reported one sailor had been charged and was fined $6797 for possession of the offensive material when he appeared in Tauranga District Court. Customs had two other prosecutions pending.

"This kind of activity will be not tolerated," said Mr Wineti.

"We will continue to target vessels travelling into the port - with a focus on offensive material."

- NZPA