Arrests over 'abhorrent' child-like sex doll imports
Australian Border Force officers raided and searched properties around the Newcastle and Hunter Valley area arresting four people over the span of about a year in their crackdown on the "disturbing rise in attempted importations."
Investigators arrested and charged a 63-year-old man at his home in November.
In April 2025, officers intercepted another doll delivered in an air cargo package which was declared as a silicone doll.
This was followed by a 49-year-old man arrested and charged in May on a rural property near Scone, about two hours north of Newcastle.
And in June 2025, another suspected child-like sex doll was intercepted on its way to to a home in Whitebridge with a 55-year-old man arrested and charged at his home in northern NSW.
ABF Inspector Michael Mahony said child abuse material comes in all forms and inanimate dolls were not precluded from being classified as engaging in criminal activity.
"Dolls that normalise child exploitation are far from a victimless crime and they have no place in the Australian community," Insp Mahony said.
"The ABF is resolute in its commitment to seize any and all forms of abhorrent child abuse material at the border and ensure those responsible are prosecuted."
The accused were charged with the importation of Tier 2 Goods, namely child-like sex dolls, where they could face a fine of up to $782,500 or 10 years in jail or both.
Investigators seized several mobile phones and other electronic devices containing evidence of child abuse material as well as illicit drugs in one of the properties raided.
Several middle-aged men have been arrested for trying to get child-like sex dolls shipped to their homes in rural towns.
Australian Border Force officers raided and searched properties around the Newcastle and Hunter Valley area arresting four people over the span of about a year in their crackdown on the "disturbing rise in attempted importations."
Investigators arrested and charged a 63-year-old man at his home in November.
In April 2025, officers intercepted another doll delivered in an air cargo package which was declared as a silicone doll.
This was followed by a 49-year-old man arrested and charged in May on a rural property near Scone, about two hours north of Newcastle.
And in June 2025, another suspected child-like sex doll was intercepted on its way to to a home in Whitebridge with a 55-year-old man arrested and charged at his home in northern NSW.
ABF Inspector Michael Mahony said child abuse material comes in all forms and inanimate dolls were not precluded from being classified as engaging in criminal activity.
"Dolls that normalise child exploitation are far from a victimless crime and they have no place in the Australian community," Insp Mahony said.
"The ABF is resolute in its commitment to seize any and all forms of abhorrent child abuse material at the border and ensure those responsible are prosecuted."
The accused were charged with the importation of Tier 2 Goods, namely child-like sex dolls, where they could face a fine of up to $782,500 or 10 years in jail or both.
Investigators seized several mobile phones and other electronic devices containing evidence of child abuse material as well as illicit drugs in one of the properties raided.
Several middle-aged men have been arrested for trying to get child-like sex dolls shipped to their homes in rural towns.
Australian Border Force officers raided and searched properties around the Newcastle and Hunter Valley area arresting four people over the span of about a year in their crackdown on the "disturbing rise in attempted importations."
Investigators arrested and charged a 63-year-old man at his home in November.
In April 2025, officers intercepted another doll delivered in an air cargo package which was declared as a silicone doll.
This was followed by a 49-year-old man arrested and charged in May on a rural property near Scone, about two hours north of Newcastle.
And in June 2025, another suspected child-like sex doll was intercepted on its way to to a home in Whitebridge with a 55-year-old man arrested and charged at his home in northern NSW.
ABF Inspector Michael Mahony said child abuse material comes in all forms and inanimate dolls were not precluded from being classified as engaging in criminal activity.
"Dolls that normalise child exploitation are far from a victimless crime and they have no place in the Australian community," Insp Mahony said.
"The ABF is resolute in its commitment to seize any and all forms of abhorrent child abuse material at the border and ensure those responsible are prosecuted."
The accused were charged with the importation of Tier 2 Goods, namely child-like sex dolls, where they could face a fine of up to $782,500 or 10 years in jail or both.
Investigators seized several mobile phones and other electronic devices containing evidence of child abuse material as well as illicit drugs in one of the properties raided.
Several middle-aged men have been arrested for trying to get child-like sex dolls shipped to their homes in rural towns.
Australian Border Force officers raided and searched properties around the Newcastle and Hunter Valley area arresting four people over the span of about a year in their crackdown on the "disturbing rise in attempted importations."
Investigators arrested and charged a 63-year-old man at his home in November.
In April 2025, officers intercepted another doll delivered in an air cargo package which was declared as a silicone doll.
This was followed by a 49-year-old man arrested and charged in May on a rural property near Scone, about two hours north of Newcastle.
And in June 2025, another suspected child-like sex doll was intercepted on its way to to a home in Whitebridge with a 55-year-old man arrested and charged at his home in northern NSW.
ABF Inspector Michael Mahony said child abuse material comes in all forms and inanimate dolls were not precluded from being classified as engaging in criminal activity.
"Dolls that normalise child exploitation are far from a victimless crime and they have no place in the Australian community," Insp Mahony said.
"The ABF is resolute in its commitment to seize any and all forms of abhorrent child abuse material at the border and ensure those responsible are prosecuted."
The accused were charged with the importation of Tier 2 Goods, namely child-like sex dolls, where they could face a fine of up to $782,500 or 10 years in jail or both.
Investigators seized several mobile phones and other electronic devices containing evidence of child abuse material as well as illicit drugs in one of the properties raided.
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