A man has been charged over the alleged possession of child abuse material and drug offences following an investigation by Strike Force Trawler in the state's Hunter Region.
In November 2019, detectives from the Child Abuse and Sex Crime Squad's Child Exploitation Internet Unit (CEIU) began investigating a man allegedly sharing and obtaining child exploitation material on a peer to peer network.
Following extensive investigations, a search warrant was executed at a home in the Hunter Region about 9am today (Friday 1 May 2020), where detectives seized a laptop, electronic storage devices and prohibited drugs.
About 10.30am, strike force detectives arrested a 34-year-old man at a nearby workplace.
The man was taken to Muswellbrook Police Station and charged with three counts of possessing or controlling child abuse material obtained or accessed using a carriage service, supply prohibited drug and two counts of possess prohibited drug.
He was refused bail and appeared before Newcastle Local Court today (Friday 1 May 2020), where he was granted conditional bail to appear before Muswellbrook Local Court on Monday 6 July 2020.
Strike Force Trawler is an ongoing investigation by the CEIU into the sexual abuse and exploitation of children facilitated through the internet and related telecommunications devices.
Regular covert online investigations are conducted by the CEIU; and police in NSW work closely with their law-enforcement colleagues interstate and overseas.
The Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad is comprised of detectives who are specially trained to investigate matters against children and adults, including sexual assault, serious physical abuse, and extreme cases of neglect.
Anyone with concerns about the suspected abuse or exploitation of children should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.
Information you provide will be treated in the strictest of confidence. People should not report crime information via our Facebook and Twitter pages.
