Detectives from the Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team (JACET) have arrested a man in Werribee today as part of an investigation into the distribution of online child abuse material.
Warrants were executed at a property on Facata Avenue this morning as part of the two-month investigation.
The investigation focused on the construction of encrypted online platforms which were then used to distribute child abuse material to what's believed to be hundreds of users.
A 37-year-old Werribee man was arrested at the property by police and will now be interviewed.
He is expected to be charged with around 300 Commonwealth offences including aggravated offence involving conduct on three or more occasions and two or more people, access material using carriage service, and transmit material using carriage service for child abuse material.
The man will also be charge with incest which is alleged to have occurred over a period of 10 years.
He will appear at Melbourne Magistrate's Court this afternoon.
Police also seized a number of electronic devices from the address.
The investigation remains ongoing.
The Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team (JACET) is comprised of investigators from Victoria Police and the Australian Federal Police.
Anyone with any information about online offending is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
Offences for the possession, distribution and access of child abuse carry penalties of up to 10 years imprisonment in Victoria. Victoria Police will continue to work with other state and federal law enforcement agencies, both in Australia and across the world, to ensure we are continuing to improve our response to this type of crime.
