'Disturbing rise': charges over child-like sex dolls bound for Hunter
The authority said it had taken action on seven warrants since 2024 related to the trade.
In October last year, officers stopped an air cargo consignment intended for a Cooranbong address on suspicion it contained a child-like sex doll. A month later, they searched a residential premises and arrested a 63-year-old man.
In April, officers identified one of the dolls in a consignment declared as containing a silicone doll. A 49-year-old man was arrested in May this year after they searched a rural premises north of Scone.
Last month, officers intercepted another doll bound for a residence in Whitebridge. A 55-year-old man was arrested and charged following a search of the property.
The three men were charged with breaching the Customs Act 1901. If convicted, they face maximum penalties of a $782,500 fine, 10 years in jail or both.
Australian Border Force Inspector Michael Mahony said the arrests were "just a few examples" of the intelligence and investigations officers were conducting.
"Dolls that normalise child exploitation are far from a victimless crime and they have no place in the Australian community," Inspector Mahony said.
"The ABF is resolute in its commitment to seize any and all forms of abhorrent child abuse material at the border and ensure those responsible are prosecuted."
THREE Hunter men are due to face court on charges related to child-like sex dolls in what Australian Border Force has branded "a disturbing rise in attempted importations".
The authority said it had taken action on seven warrants since 2024 related to the trade.
In October last year, officers stopped an air cargo consignment intended for a Cooranbong address on suspicion it contained a child-like sex doll. A month later, they searched a residential premises and arrested a 63-year-old man.
In April, officers identified one of the dolls in a consignment declared as containing a silicone doll. A 49-year-old man was arrested in May this year after they searched a rural premises north of Scone.
Last month, officers intercepted another doll bound for a residence in Whitebridge. A 55-year-old man was arrested and charged following a search of the property.
The three men were charged with breaching the Customs Act 1901. If convicted, they face maximum penalties of a $782,500 fine, 10 years in jail or both.
Australian Border Force Inspector Michael Mahony said the arrests were "just a few examples" of the intelligence and investigations officers were conducting.
"Dolls that normalise child exploitation are far from a victimless crime and they have no place in the Australian community," Inspector Mahony said.
"The ABF is resolute in its commitment to seize any and all forms of abhorrent child abuse material at the border and ensure those responsible are prosecuted."
THREE Hunter men are due to face court on charges related to child-like sex dolls in what Australian Border Force has branded "a disturbing rise in attempted importations".
The authority said it had taken action on seven warrants since 2024 related to the trade.
In October last year, officers stopped an air cargo consignment intended for a Cooranbong address on suspicion it contained a child-like sex doll. A month later, they searched a residential premises and arrested a 63-year-old man.
In April, officers identified one of the dolls in a consignment declared as containing a silicone doll. A 49-year-old man was arrested in May this year after they searched a rural premises north of Scone.
Last month, officers intercepted another doll bound for a residence in Whitebridge. A 55-year-old man was arrested and charged following a search of the property.
The three men were charged with breaching the Customs Act 1901. If convicted, they face maximum penalties of a $782,500 fine, 10 years in jail or both.
Australian Border Force Inspector Michael Mahony said the arrests were "just a few examples" of the intelligence and investigations officers were conducting.
"Dolls that normalise child exploitation are far from a victimless crime and they have no place in the Australian community," Inspector Mahony said.
"The ABF is resolute in its commitment to seize any and all forms of abhorrent child abuse material at the border and ensure those responsible are prosecuted."
THREE Hunter men are due to face court on charges related to child-like sex dolls in what Australian Border Force has branded "a disturbing rise in attempted importations".
The authority said it had taken action on seven warrants since 2024 related to the trade.
In October last year, officers stopped an air cargo consignment intended for a Cooranbong address on suspicion it contained a child-like sex doll. A month later, they searched a residential premises and arrested a 63-year-old man.
In April, officers identified one of the dolls in a consignment declared as containing a silicone doll. A 49-year-old man was arrested in May this year after they searched a rural premises north of Scone.
Last month, officers intercepted another doll bound for a residence in Whitebridge. A 55-year-old man was arrested and charged following a search of the property.
The three men were charged with breaching the Customs Act 1901. If convicted, they face maximum penalties of a $782,500 fine, 10 years in jail or both.
Australian Border Force Inspector Michael Mahony said the arrests were "just a few examples" of the intelligence and investigations officers were conducting.
"Dolls that normalise child exploitation are far from a victimless crime and they have no place in the Australian community," Inspector Mahony said.
"The ABF is resolute in its commitment to seize any and all forms of abhorrent child abuse material at the border and ensure those responsible are prosecuted."
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