Australian police have swooped to free 51 children from the hands of more than 100 alleged evil paedophiles in a massive international operation.
Addresses across the country were raided as part of Operation Molto to arrest 117 people and allegedly rescue 51 children from their clutches.
Law enforcement officers, construction workers and truckies were among those caught in the web, according to Australian Federal Police, with ages ranging from 18 to 61.
The Australian arrests were part of the global Operation H which saw a total of 153 children being removed from harm, including 79 in the United Kingdom, 12 in Canada, six in New Zealand, four in the United States and one child in Europe.
Australian police have swooped to free 51 children from the hands of more than 100 alleged evil paedophiles in a massive international operation
The operation started in 2019 after intelligence from New Zealand that thousands were using a cloud storage platform to distribute sick child abuse material.
Police from every state and territory in Australia executed 158 search warrants in Australia, charging 117 men with 1248 charges and removing 51 children from harm.
Horrified police found some of the accused allegedly had child abuse photographs and video produced by a man arrested in 2015 which was classified as the most abhorrent ever made.
But they are also accused of producing their own child abuse material and then sharing it online.
Victoria Police Cybercrime Division Detective Superintendent Jane Welsh said the number one priority was the rescue and recovery of children from any further harm.
‘These types of investigations absolutely remain a priority for police, and on this occasion, to have removed eight children [in Victoria] from further harm is extremely satisfying,’ Detective Superintendent Welsh said.
‘Victoria Police will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners across Australia and internationally to actively target online predators and to protect children.
‘I would urge parents to be vigilant and to proactively have conversations with your children about online safety.
‘Children can be groomed in a matter of minutes – it’s so important that everyone understands the warning signs of unwanted contact, how to protect your or your family’s privacy online, and how to report any suspicious activity.’
Denzil Clark, of Queensland Police, said it was essential to stamp out these evil networks to stop further attacks.
‘The possession of child exploitation material is not a victimless crime,’ the Crime and Intelligence Command Acting Assistant Commissioner said.
‘Anyone involved in possessing or sharing these images continues the cycle of victimisation and abuse of the children depicted in this material.’
Addresses across the country were raided as part of Operation Molto to arrest 117 people and allegedly rescue 51 children from their clutches
Those rescued from the clutches of their abusers would continue to suffer long after the cases go to court, warned Tasmania Police Detective Inspector Craig Joel.
‘Once a child is harmed by an online predator, they will be impacted for life,’ he said.
AFP Assistant Commissioner Lesa Gale added: ‘Viewing, distributing or producing child abuse material is a horrific crime.
‘Children are not commodities and the AFP and its partner agencies work around-the-clock to identify and prosecute offenders.
‘The success of Operation Molto demonstrates the importance of partnerships for law enforcement, at a national level here in Australia, but also at an international level, with our colleagues in New Zealand and around the world.’
The operation started in 2019 after intelligence from New Zealand that thousands were using a cloud storage platform to distribute sick child abuse material
Law enforcement officers, construction workers and truckies were among those caught in the web, according to Australian Federal Police, with ages ranging from 18 to 61
Tim Houston, Manager Digital Child Exploitation Team for DIA in New Zealand, said the operation, and the prosecutions that would follow, represented a major success in international efforts to dismantle networks that sought to exploit children.
‘I commend the ongoing support of our law enforcement partners domestically and across the world for their dedication and hard-work,’ he said.
‘This operation will have an impact on the global networks that deal in the most horrific and damaging material, and we are extraordinarily proud of the effect it will have on children’s lives around the world.’
NSW Detective Superintendent Jayne Doherty praised the results of Operation Molto and added: ‘This shows what can be achieved when all agencies work together for a good cause – and there’s no better cause than protecting our children.’
More to follow