A New South Wales man is expected to appear in Parramatta Local Court today (21 January, 2026) charged with possessing and transmitting child abuse material.
Australian Border Force (ABF) officers intercepted the 60-year-old man and examined his luggage following intelligence-led screening on his arrival into Sydney on an international flight from Cambodia yesterday (20 January, 2026).
During an examination of the man's mobile phone, ABF officers located suspected child abuse material. The matter was reported to the AFP for further investigation.
AFP members attended and on further examination of the device, identified alleged child abuse material and sexualised conversations with and about minors.
A laptop, tablet and USB, which were located in his luggage, were also seized for forensic analysis.
Following further inquiries, AFP investigators, assisted by AFP Canine, Digital Forensics, and ABF Investigators, executed a search warrant at a home at Leichhardt, where further electronic devices underwent forensic examination.
The man was arrested and charged with:
- possess or control child abuse material obtained or accessed using a carriage service contrary to section 474.22A of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth). The maximum penalty for this offence is 15 years' imprisonment.
- intentionally Import prohibited tier 2 goods without approval contrary to section 233BA(5) of the Customs Act 1901 (Cth). The maximum penalty for this offence is 10 years' imprisonment.
- two counts of use carriage service to transmit child abuse material contrary to section 474.22(1)(a)(iii) of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth). The maximum penalty for this offence is 15 years' imprisonment.
