A customs crackdown has resulted in the arrests of four men found with images that exploit children.
Customs said while it remained focussed on stopping illicit drug smuggling, combating child exploitation was also a high priority. Photo: 123rf.com
A 30-year-old, and two men in their 60s were arrested separately in the last month for having and uploading images of child sexual abuse.
Another man, 47, was stopped at Auckland Airport and arrested after Customs officers found material on his phone and on his home computer.
One of the men had been sharing images using a common messaging application, while another had shared the material in an internet chatroom.
Customs Investigations Manager Maurice O'Brien said these results were a great start to 2017, and a snapshot of the crimes Customs and partner agencies continually strived to stop.
"While Customs remains focussed on stopping illicit drug smuggling, combating child exploitation is also a high priority.
"Whether it's someone carrying child sexual abuse images and videos across the border or offending by uploading, downloading or sharing such material over the virtual border, Customs is committed to catching them."
