Argos detectives charge Mackay, Brisbane north man on child abuse material allegations

Body worn cameras have captured the moment specialist police busted two Queensland men over allegations they sourced child abuse material over the dark web using cryptocurrency. WATCH

Specialist police have charged two men over allegations they bought child abuse material over the dark web using cryptocurrency.

Taskforce Argos detectives have charged a Mackay man, 29, and Brisbane north man, 35, following a targeted, joint investigation between Australia and the United States.

It is alleged both men were found possessing child exploitation material, which has been sourced on the dark web and encrypted networks using cryptocurrency and other secure online methods for payment.

The Mackay man, who was arrested following the execution of a search warrant on Friday, is facing 42 charges.

These include 21 counts of soliciting child abuse material by using a carriage service, 19 counts of transmitting to himself child abuse material by using a carriage service and one count each of possessing child abuse material obtained by using a carriage service and using a carriage service to transmit or distribute child abuse material.

Detectives from Argos have charged two men after an investigation targeting offenders on the dark web using cryptocurrency to purchase child abuse material.

He has been released on strict bail conditions and will next appear in Mackay Magistrates Court on August 5.

Police also arrested a Mango Hill man after executing a search warrant on July 2 and charged him with one count of using a carriage service to access child abuse material.

He has been released on strict bail conditions and will appear in the Pine Rivers Magistrates Court on July 30.

Detectives from Argos have charged two men after an investigation targeting offenders on the dark web using cryptocurrency to purchase child abuse material.

The arrests stemmed from a joint investigation between Queensland Police Service, the Australian Federal Police led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation and the US Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Argos Detective Inspector Glen Donaldson said everyday officers from Argos and the AFP work together to target high harm offenders operating on a range of online platforms.

Detectives from Argos have charged two men after an investigation targeting offenders on the dark web using cryptocurrency to purchase child abuse material.

“Our covert online operatives operate across a vast array of platforms every day to identify and target child sex offenders who seek to distribute child abuse material,” Detective Inspector Donaldson said.

“This is not a victimless crime as behind every image is a child who has been the subject of abuse.

Detectives from Argos have charged two men after an investigation targeting offenders on the dark web using cryptocurrency to purchase child abuse material.

Detective Inspector Donaldson said officers shared intelligence daily, working together “to identify those who seek to hide on platforms they believe make them anonymous”.

“Everything you do online leaves a trace, and our detectives will leave no stone unturned in our efforts to identify and prosecute offenders,” he said.

AFP Detective Superintendent Frank Rayner said the AFP and its partners worked tirelessly to protect children, wherever they lived, and identify anyone involved in harming or exploiting them.

“At the AFP-led ACCCE, we focus on collaboration through provision of specialist capabilities such as our cryptocurrency analysis experts, who played a key role supporting this Argos investigation,” AFP Det-Supt Rayner said.

“This excellent operational outcome is a prime example of how effectively the AFP works with our law enforcement partners across all states and territories, and internationally, to combat child exploitation and abuse.”

Originally published as Argos detectives charge Mackay, Brisbane north man on child abuse material allegations