A man has appeared in court today charged over alleged child abuse material and bestiality offences under Strike Force Trawler.
Strike Force Trawler is an ongoing investigation by Sex Crimes Squad's Child Exploitation Internet Unit (CEIU) into the sexual abuse and exploitation of children facilitated through the internet and related telecommunications devices.
Following extensive inquiries, strike force detectives executed a search warrant in Wollongong about 6am today (Monday 5 May 2025).
During the search, police located and seized electronic devices relevant to their investigation. The seized items will be forensically examined.
The occupant, a 30-year-old man was arrested and taken to Wollongong Police Station where he was charged with two counts of use carriage service make available child abuse, two counts of use carriage service - solicit child abuse material, two counts of possess child abuse data - use carriage service, person possesses bestiality material and person disseminates bestiality material.
Police will allege in court that the man used two social media platforms to communicate with a Queensland woman, in an attempt to procure her teenage daughter for sexual activity.
The man appeared in Wollongong Local Court today where he was formally refused bail to appear at the same court on Wednesday 9 July 2025.
Anyone with information that may assist investigations into the distribution of child abuse material is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is managed on a confidential basis. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
