The disturbing find customs allegedly made in Aussie tourist's luggage as he returned from the Philippines sparks sickening accusation
An Australian man has been charged after authorities allegedly found child abuse material on his phone when he returned to the country from overseas.
The 63-year-old Queensland man's phone was seized by Australian Border Force (ABF) officers on December 25, 2024, after he landed on an international flight at Cairns Airport, in the state's north.
Officers also allegedly discovered child abuse material on the man's laptop and two hard drives and referred the matter to the Australian Federal Police (AFP).
AFP executed a search warrant at the man's Cairns homes the following day and seized several more devices.
On Wednesday, the AFP confirmed its Northern Command Joint Anti-Child Exploitation Team had on May 6 charged the man with one count of possessing, controlling, producing, distributing or obtaining child abuse material outside Australia.
It's alleged the 63-year-old produced the abuse material in the Philippines.
The offence carries a maximum of 15 years behind bars if convicted.
He fronted Cairns Magistrates Court on Wednesday for a brief hearing.
The prosecution requested the matter be adjourned as it was still waiting to receive a full brief of evidence.
The case will return to court next month.
AFP Detective Superintendent Adrian Telfer said law enforcement would continue to crack down on child abuse material made in Australia and overseas.
'Online child abuse material is a borderless crime, which is why this criminality remains a strong focus for the AFP and our state and Commonwealth and international law enforcement partners,' he said.
'Creating this material is a serious offence. Investigators are relentless and will pursue anyone producing, sharing or accessing child abuse material – regardless of where it is from.'
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