How a single arrest led to the rescue of SEVEN children in Australia and overseas
The arrest of an Australian man has led to the rescue of seven children who were allegedly being sexually exploited.
Queensland Police arrested a 31-year-old man after executing a search warrant at a Kippa Ring home, north Brisbane, on December 7, 2024.
Officers in the Redcliffe Child Protection Investigation Unit had received a tip about the man allegedly committing child exploitation offences.
Several digital devices were seized from the home and the man was initially charged with three counts of possessing child exploitation material and one count of using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence.
However, further examination of the seized items allegedly lifted the lid on an international child exploitation operation.
Redcliffe officers worked with Argos victim identification specialists to identify and locate the alleged child victims.
Two children were found in South East Queensland with police providing them ongoing support.
Another two children were identified as living in the Philippines.
Queensland Police notified Australian Federal Police representatives who worked with the Philippine National Police to find the children.
A further three children were allegedly rescued by the PNP on February 20, 2025.
The PNP's investigation into alleged child exploitation in the local area is ongoing.
The 31-year-old Kippa Ring man was charged with an additional 24 offences on January 24, 2025.
Those including five counts of using internet to procure children under 16, four counts of grooming child under 16 years or parent or carer of child under 16 years, facilitate procurement of child to engage in sexual act, four counts of indecent treatment of child under 12 with impairment of the mind, and two counts of distributing child exploitation material.
He was also charged with one count each of contravening order about information necessary to access information stored electronically, possessing child exploitation material and using internet to procure children under 12.
Additionally, the 31-year-old was charged with six counts of supplying dangerous drugs.
He has been remanded in custody and due to reappear in Redcliffe Magistrates Court on Thursday.
Moreton District Detective Inspector Phil Hurst warned those running child exploitation operations in Australia from overseas weren't safe from law enforcement.
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