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SYDNEY - Police in two states swooped overnight to smash a child porn ring with international links allegedly producing and distributing images while grooming kids for future abuse.
The raids on homes across NSW and Victoria resulted in six arrests plus the seizure of computers and equipment containing "thousands of images" of child porn.
The operation followed an 11-month covert investigation by Strike Force Pymont, involving officers from the Australian Federal Police (AFP), NSW Child Protection and Sex Crimes Squad and also Queensland police.
"We uncovered information which indicates this network spreads across the country and internationally," NSW Child Protection and Sex Crimes Squad Commander Detective Superintendent Helen Begg said today.
"Not only sharing illicit material but also using the network to identify potential victims and avoid detection by law enforcement agencies.
"We will allege this syndicate was involved in the production and distribution of child pornography.
"However, there are many more exhibits, including computers and discs, still to undergo forensic examination."
Supt Begg said the "risk of future harm to children has been minimised as a result of this investigation".
And she issued a warning to anyone who thought the internet allowed them the anonymity to engage in such activity.
"We have the technology and skills to covertly monitor your usage of the computer and you will be tracked down and charged," Supt Begg said.
Six men were charged and eight police raids were conducted in NSW and Victoria overnight.
A 38-year-old man from South West Rocks on the NSW mid-north coast faces 14 counts of use carriage service to transmit child pornography, four counts of disseminating child pornography, six counts of possessing child pornography and one count of each use carriage service to groom a child aged under 16 and produce child pornography.
He was refused bail to appear in Port Macquarie Local Court today.
A 51-year-old man from Orange in NSW also was charged with ten counts of disseminating and producing child pornography and one count of possess child pornography.
He was refused bail to appear in Orange Local Court today.
A 29-year-old man from Coonabarabran in NSW is due to appear in Tamworth Local Court today charged with two counts of disseminating and producing child pornography.
A 22-year-old man from Griffith in NSW was charged with one count each of disseminating and producing child pornography and possess child pornography.
He was refused bail to appear in Wagga Wagga Local Court today.
A 49-year-old from Melbourne was charged with using a carriage service to transmit child pornography and two counts of possess child pornography.
He was bail refused and is due to appear in Melbourne Magistrates Court tomorrow.
A man aged 31 from the Sydney suburb of Rosebery was charged with drug-related offences. A number of items were seized during the execution of a search warrant and police say their inquiries are ongoing.
A seventh man, a 17-year-old youth, was arrested in Queensland in August and he has been charged with using a carriage service for child pornography material.
- AAP
