A Taiwanese national has been sentenced to more than seven years imprisonment in the Perth District Court this week for possessing thousands of images depicting child abuse material following an investigation by Australian Border Force (ABF).
The 26-year-old man was selected for a targeted baggage examination after arriving at Perth International Airport on a flight from Taiwan via Singapore on 18 August 2025, after being subject to a border alert.
ABF officers and the Australian Federal Police (AFP) Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team (JACET) examined the man's electronic devices and found images and videos containing child abuse material. He had his visa cancelled and was arrested by the ABF for intentionally possessing a prohibited import contrary to Regulation 4A of the Customs (Prohibited Import) Regulations 1956.
Further investigations by ABF officers located over 10,000 images and videos depicting child abuse material and the man was further charged with one count of causing child abuse material to be transmitted to himself, contrary to section 474.22, subsection 1 of the Commonwealth Criminal Code and one count of possessing or controlling child abuse material obtained or accessed using a carriage service, contrary to section 474.22A of the Commonwealth Criminal Code.
He pleaded guilty to all three offences and was sentenced on 26 May 2026 to seven years and six months imprisonment, with a non-parole period of five years and seven months, and declared a Reportable Offender.
ABF Acting Superintendent David Williamson said ABF officers were finding child abuse material on electronic devices at the airport on a regular basis and act decisively to ensure perpetrators were brought to justice.
"Criminals who possess child abuse material are enabling others to exploit children and cause irrevocable harm to the innocent," A/g Superintendent Williamson said.
"Every child, in every image, is one who has been exploited in a horrendous way, and like the rest of the community, we have zero tolerance for these offences."
Anyone with information about suspicious activity which may impact the security of Australia's borders is urged to report to Border Watch online. By reporting suspicious activities, you help protect Australia's border and the community.
