CANBERRA, ACT, March 13 -- Australian Federal Police issued the following media release:
This is a joint media release between the AFP and Australian Border Force
An Australian citizen, who resides in Palau, is expected to face Perth Magistrates Court today (13 March 2026), charged with attempting to facilitate the procurement of a child for sexual activity overseas and using a carriage service to obtain child abuse material.
Australian Border Force (ABF) officers searched the man after he arrived at Perth Airport on a flight from Manila, the Philippines, yesterday (12 March, 2026). It will be alleged an examination of his mobile phone revealed child abuse material and online communications with children overseas seeking child abuse material.
AFP officers at Perth Airport charged the man, 62, with:
* One count of engaging in conduct in relation to another person with the intention of making it easier to procure a child, under the age of 16 years, to engage in sexual activity outside Australia and the child was outside of Australia when the conduct occurred, contrary to section 272.15A of the Criminal Code (Cth); and
* Two counts of using a carriage service to possess, control, produce, distribute or obtain child abuse material outside Australia, contrary to section 273.6 of the Criminal Code (Cth).
These offences each carry a maximum penalty of 15 years' imprisonment.
AFP Acting Superintendent Peter Brindal said the AFP remained steadfast in its mission to combat criminal activity and protect children wherever they may be.
"Offending that targets the vulnerability of children is among the most serious we deal with, which is why the AFP and our partners work relentlessly to identify and apprehend those who harm or exploit minors," a/Supt Brindal said.
"Whether a person is attempting to carry out offences here or overseas, the AFP has the capability to detect their activities and bring them before the courts."
ABF Superintendent John Eldridge said airport screening is an indispensable tool to stop the spread of abhorrent material in our community.
"This interception is the direct result of intelligence profiling, data analysis, and the vigilance of our front-line officers," Supt Eldridge said.
"The ABF is Australia's first line of defence against criminals seeking to bring abhorrent child abuse material into our community. These crimes cause devastating harm to children, and we will not hesitate to act."
The AFP and its partners are committed to stopping child exploitation and abuse and the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) is driving a collaborative national approach to combatting child abuse.
The ACCCE brings together specialist expertise and skills in a central hub, supporting investigations into online child sexual exploitation and developing prevention strategies focused on creating a safer online environment.
Members of the public who have information about people involved in child abuse are urged to contact the ACCCE. If you know abuse is happening right now or a child is at risk, call police immediately on 000.
If you or someone you know is impacted by child sexual abuse and online exploitation, support services are available.
Advice and support for parents and carers about how they can help protect children online can be found at the ThinkUKnow website, an AFP-led education program designed to prevent online child sexual exploitation.
For more information on the role of the ACCCE, what is online child sexual exploitation and how to report it visit the ACCCE website.
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
