11 Aug 2020

New Zealand police tipoff leads to Sydney child abuse arrest

3:12 pm on 11 August 2020

A Sydney man has been arrested and faces child exploitation charges after a tipoff from New Zealand police.

Photo: Richard Tindiller

The Australian Federal Police arrested the 31-year-old last week and faces one charge related to child abuse materials, along with drugs charges.

He appeared at Bankstown Local Court on Friday.

NZ Police said their Online Child Exploitation team identified the man who appeared to be sharing child abuse material, and shared the information with their Australian counterparts in early July.

Australian police then found further evidence of child abuse offences.

They seized about $AU1200 in cash and 50g of a substance suspected to be cocaine.

The man faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted.

"Those who share child abuse material are not, and will not be, protected by borders or by their perceived online anonymity," High Tech Crime Group manager for NZ Police, Kelly Knight, said.