An image of the arrest is available to download here.
A Fairfield man will reappear in court next month, charged after allegedly attempting to import child abuse material contained on DVDs into Australia.
On Monday 28 October 2024, Australian Border Force (ABF) officers examined a parcel arriving into Sydney via air cargo.
Upon inspection, officers located three DVDs which allegedly contained images of child abuse material on the covers.
The items were referred to ABF Investigations NSW, who conducted further examination of the items, with files on the DVDs classified as child abuse material.
Following extensive enquiries, ABF investigators executed Commonwealth search warrants at the intended delivery address in Fairfield, west of Sydney, on Wednesday (6 November 2024).
During the search, officers located two electronic devices containing evidence of the importation, in addition to further material allegedly depicting the sexual abuse of children.
Several DVDs were seized for further forensic examination, while officers also located a replica firearm, which was referred to the NSW Police Force to conduct further enquiries.
A 45-year-old man was subsequently arrested by ABF investigators and taken to Fairfield Police Station, where he was charged with one count of import tier 2 goods contrary to s233BAB(5) of the Customs Act 1901.
The maximum penalty for this offence is 10 year's imprisonment.
The man was refused bail and appeared at Fairfield Local Court the following day (Thursday 7 November 2024), where he was granted conditional bail to reappear at the same court on Thursday 19 December 2024.
ABF Investigations NSW Superintendent Brett Totten said the ABF will continue to target and intercept suspicious material entering Australia through all import streams.
"Our officers are committed to preventing the production and dissemination of child abuse material within the community," Supt Totten said.
"Material of this nature is nothing short of horrendous, depicting the abuse and exploitation of the most vulnerable members of society.
"Through detection at the border, pursuit of criminal prosecution by dedicated ABF Investigators, and collaboration with domestic and international law enforcement partners will continue to target those seeking to harm innocent children at home and abroad."
