Children rescued, alleged international paedophile ring busted

Seven foreign nationals are in custody facing significant prison terms after Sydney detectives helped dismantle sophisticated overseas child abuse networks, foiling a suspected plot to abuse at least one child.

The men – from the United Kingdom, United States, Mexico, Poland and Uruguay – were arrested between April and August after NSW sex crimes squad detectives working under two long-running investigations, Strike Force Trawler and Strike Force Constantine, identified account holders allegedly sharing abusive material online.

Strike Force Constantine was established last May to investigate the distribution of satanic and ritualistic child abuse online, while Strike Force Trawler targets broader offending using online and telecommunication networks.

Over several months, strike force detectives from the child exploitation internet unit analysed intelligence gleaned from various platforms and online channels before referring alleged offenders to overseas law enforcement agencies.

Last Friday, US authorities arrested a man in Missouri who detectives identified after he allegedly shared child abuse material with what police say is a known online paedophile ring. A three-year-old in the man’s custody was placed into child protection. The man is expected to be charged with offences related to child sexual abuse and child abuse material possession and distribution.

Last month, detectives identified another Missouri-based man, a 23-year-old, allegedly running an online chat group linked to a paedophile ring producing and distributing extreme child abuse material. He has been charged and remains in custody.

Around the same time, detectives informed Mexican authorities that a man accused of distributing child abuse material online allegedly planned to travel to the United States to sexually abuse a child known to him. He was arrested at the border, where he was allegedly found with child abuse material in his possession. He has been charged with child abuse offences and remains in custody.

A man in Gloucestershire, in South West England, was also arrested after allegedly disclosing online the sexual abuse of a child known to him. He was charged with child abuse-related offences and remains in custody.

“It’s not just online, imaginary, AI child abuse. At the heart of this child abuse is a victim. Somewhere in the world, a real human who is being victimised and exploited,” Deputy Commissioner Scott Cook told this masthead during a wide-ranging interview focused on child abuse last month.

“We’ve already saved children in other parts of the world by making direct contact with police in other countries who have interdicted and saved children. We’ve saved children in Australia.

“Getting children out of harm, no matter where they are in the world, is something we’re committed to as an agency.”

Investigations under Strike Force Constantine and Strike Force Trawler are ongoing.

Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).