Image and vision of the arrest are available here.
A NSW man has been charged following a joint-agency investigation for allegedly attempting to import a child-like sex doll and also being in possession of child abuse material.
An investigation was commenced by Australian Border Force (ABF) investigators, after a consignment was received at the Sydney Container Examination Facility in August 2024. ABF officers examined the shipment, which was found to contain a child-like sex doll.
As part of the ongoing investigation, ABF Investigators executed a Commonwealth search warrant at a home in Waratah on Tuesday 3 September 2024, where they seized a number of items for further forensic examination.
Following further investigations and assistance from the NSW Police Force's Newcastle City Police District, officers attended the same home about 5am yesterday (Friday 20 September 2024), where a 42-year-old man was spoken to and arrested.
He was taken to Newcastle Police Station, where ABF investigators charged the man with the importation of Tier 2 Goods, namely one Child Like Sex Doll, under section 233BAB(5) of the Customs Act 1901.
The maximum criminal penalty for an offence under this section is a fine of up to $782,500 or imprisonment for 10 years or both.
NSW Police also charged the man with two counts of possess child abuse material.
He was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court on Friday 20 September 2024.
ABF Acting Superintendent Mark Paixao said protecting the most vulnerable members of our community from those who would seek to exploit them will always be a top priority for the ABF.
“We work closely with our law enforcement partners to target offenders of these horrific crimes and perform our critical work at the border," Acting Superintendent Paixao said.
“We will continue to make the Australian border a hostile place for those seeking to bring in illegal items – be it drugs, firearms or abhorrent child abuse material."
NSW Police Newcastle Police District Commander, Superintendent Kylie Endemi, emphasised the teamwork and shared goals between the two agencies.
“The arrest shows how effective a joint approach to policing can be," Superintendent Endemi said.
“The NSW Police Force and Australian Border Force have once again demonstrated that through sharing intelligence and resources, we can take swift action to keep our community safe."
Media contact: Australian Border Force (02) 6264 2211
