This is a joint media statement between the Australian Border Force, South Australia Police and Australian Federal Police.
Australian authorities have charged a man, 41, from Adelaide's northern suburbs with allegedly possessing child abuse material, multiple firearms offences, and for allegedly importing a child-like sex doll.
The man appeared in Adelaide Magistrates Court today (16 August 2023) to face these charges.
The arrest followed a joint agency investigation between the Australian Border Force (ABF) and the SA Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team (SA JACET), comprising of AFP and South Australia Police (SAPOL) members.
The investigation began after an international parcel was examined by ABF Air Cargo officers, who found it to contain a child-like sex doll.
On 15 August 2023, ABF and SA JACET officers completed a joint agency operation, executing search warrants at an Adelaide home.
Officers seized a number of items, including electronic devices allegedly containing child exploitation material, children's clothing, additional child-like sex dolls and items used in their manufacturing, narcotics, a number of guns, ammunition and items related to the manufacture of firearms.
The ABF charged the man with the importation of Tier 2 Goods, namely one Child Like Sex Doll, under section 233BAB(5) of the Customs Act 1901.
The maximum penalty for this offence is a fine of up to $782,500 or imprisonment for 10 years or both.
South Australia Police charged the man with three counts of possess child exploitation material, produce or take steps in the production of a childlike sex doll, trafficking in a controlled drug and 10 firearms offences.
ABF Acting Superintended Tom Williams said protecting the most vulnerable members of our community from criminals who would commit these vile acts will always be a top priority for the ABF.
"We work closely with our law enforcement partners to target offenders of these horrific crimes and perform our critical work at the border," acting Superintendent Williams said.
"We will continue to make the Australian border a hostile place for those seeking to bring in illegal items - be it drugs, firearms or abhorrent child abuse material."
Detective Chief Inspector Matthew Lyons, Officer in Charge of SAPOL's Special Crimes Investigation Section said the South Australia Police along with their partner agencies are absolutely committed to preventing, detecting and stopping the sexual exploitation of children.
AFP Detective Superintendent Melinda Adam said this arrest was another reminder of the commitment undertaken by the AFP and its partners to protect children and identify and prosecute anyone who seeks to exploit and harm them.
"This arrest should serve as a warning that law enforcement is dedicated to fighting child sexual abuse and bringing those who commit these offences before the court," she said.
"The AFP is committed to working closely with its partners to take all necessary action to protect Australian children."
The AFP and its partners are committed to stopping child exploitation and abuse and the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation is driving a collaborative national approach to combatting child abuse.
The ACCCE brings together specialist expertise and skills in a central hub, supporting investigations into online child sexual exploitation and developing prevention strategies focused on creating a safer online environment.
Members of the public who have information about people involved in child abuse are urged to contact the ACCCE at www.accce.gov.au/report. If you know abuse is happening right now or a child is at risk, call police immediately on 000.
If you or someone you know is impacted by child sexual abuse and online exploitation, support services are available at www.accce.gov.au/support.
Research conducted by the ACCCE in 2020 revealed only about half of parents talked to their children about online safety. Advice and support for parents and carers about how they can help protect children online can be found at www.thinkuknow.org.au, an AFP-led education program designed to prevent online child sexual exploitation.
