Man faces SA court on drugs, guns and child abuse charges after childlike sex doll intercepted by authorities

An Elizabeth Downs man is in custody on guns, drugs and child abuse charges after elite police allegedly followed a disturbing package to his front door.

An Elizabeth Downs man has been remanded in custody after elite police allegedly tracked a childlike sex doll, shipped from overseas, to his home – and also found guns and drugs.

The man, 41, appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Wednesday following his arrest by Australian Border Force and the Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team.

Prosecutors will allege the investigation into the man began when ABF Air Cargo officers intercepted an international parcel and “found it to contain a childlike sex doll”.

They will further allege that, on Tuesday, the ABF and the Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team – comprised of SA Police and AFP detectives – searched the man’s home.

Officers allegedly seized a number of items including electronic devices containing child exploitation material, children’s clothing and additional childlike sex dolls.

They allegedly also seized items used in their manufacturing, narcotics, a number of guns, ammunition and items related to the manufacture of firearms.

The man was subsequently charged with three counts of possess child exploitation material, and with producing or taking steps in the production of a childlike sex doll.

He was further charged with importation of Tier 2 goods, trafficking in a controlled drug and 10 firearm offences – the charges carry a maximum 10-year prison term.

On Wednesday, the man was remanded in custody until next week, pending a home detention bail assessment.

In a statement, ABF acting Superintendent Tom Williams said the agency’s top priority was “protecting the most vulnerable members of our community”.

“We work closely with our law enforcement partners to target offenders of these horrific crimes and perform our critical work at the border,” he said.

“We will continue to make the Australian border a hostile place for those seeking to bring in illegal items – be it drugs, firearms or abhorrent child abuse material.”

AFP Detective Superintendent Melinda Adam said the arrest “should serve as a warning” of law enforcement’s “dedication” to identity and prosecute child abuse offenders.

Detective Chief Inspector Matthew Lyons, Officer in Charge of SA Police’s Special Crimes Investigation Section, said all agencies were “absolutely committed” to preventing, detecting and stopping the sexual exploitation of children.