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‘Significant dent’ made in child abuse in NSW following largest ever seizure of material

Trendiny

Published on

May 8, 2026

N SW Police have seized the largest amount of child abuse material ever in a statewide crackdown, arresting more than 60 people and filing 400 charges.

Detectives revealed the investigation began in 2023 after the discovery of a Australian network of more than 700 alleged perpetrators who use an international cloud-based platform to view and share child abuse material.

N.S.W Police say it was their largest ever seizure of child pornography.

Research conducted with the Australian Center to Counter Child Exploitation found that 62 of the alleged perpetrators lived in NSW.

Detectives revealed the investigation began after police discovered an Australian network of more than 700 alleged perpetrators sharing child abuse material. (NSW Police)

Since the operation began in 2023, detectives have arrested all 62 identified people, including 61 men and one woman. They filed more than 400 charges and secured 20 identified child victims, police said.

The three-year investigation concluded at around 5am yesterday with the arrest of a man in Corrimal.

The 37-year-old was taken away Wollongong Police station after the alleged discovery of large amounts of child pornographic material on multiple devices.

He was charged with 21 offenses related to possession of the material.

Since 2023, investigators have arrested all 62 identified individuals, including 61 men and one woman, filed nearly 400 charges, and identified and protected 20 child victims. (NSW Police)

The 37-year-old was refused bail and appeared in court today.

Commander of the State Crime Command Adam Powderly said the operation was one of the largest arrests ever made in a single investigation by the state’s sex crimes squad.

“Every image shared, every file opened, represents a real child who has been harmed,” he said.

“Today’s final arrest concludes one of the largest CEIU strike forces to date and has made a significant dent in the number of pedophiles operating in the country. N.S.Wdisrupting a key part of Australia’s online child abuse network.”

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