Sydney man arrested at airport after child abuse material allegedly found in luggage
A man has been arrested at an Australian airport after officers allegedly uncovered evidence of overseas grooming while searching his luggage.
A man returning from the Philippines has been arrested at Sydney airport after police allegedly uncovered evidence of overseas child grooming.
The 59-year-old, from Lurnea in Sydney’s southwest, was stopped for a baggage examination on Friday, according to the Australian Federal Police (AFP).
Australian Border Force officers allegedly found child abuse material and conversations discussing child abuse on his phone, leading police to detain the man at the airport.
“AFP officers interviewed the man and he allegedly admitted to engaging in the conversations,” an AFP spokesman said.
Police will allege he groomed someone overseas in an attempt to sexually abuse a child.
He was charged with offences including using a carriage service to solicit child abuse material and grooming a person to make it easier to engage in sexual activity with a child outside Australia.
AFP Detective Acting Superintendent Nicole Kenny said the force was committed to protecting children in Australia and overseas.
“Our message to online offenders has not changed – if you procure, access and transmit child abuse material, you will be found, arrested and prosecuted,” she said.
“Anyone who views this material is committing a crime.
“Whether the victim is in Australia or overseas – the AFP and its partners will work to keep our society’s most vulnerable – our children – safe from anyone who seeks to do them harm.
The man was remanded into custody to face a Sydney court on Sunday. The offences carry a maximum penalty of 15 years imprisonment.
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