International child exploitation investigation leads to Waikato arrests

Some sharp eyed detective work by a member of Western Waikato Police has resulted in an inquiry originating in Italy leading to the arrest of a Te Awamutu couple on child abuse, internet child exploitation, firearms and drugs related charges.

Waikato Police Crime Manager, Detective Inspector Chris Page, said the arrest of a 37-year-old man and his 32-year-old female partner, his subsequent appearance in the Hamilton District Court today and the woman appearing in court in Christchurch late last month, were just a part of an inquiry that spanned several months.

"Our case arose from an investigation by Italian authorities last year into the use of the internet for obtaining and distributing material related to child exploitation.

"As a result of their enquiries the Italians provided a number of images including one that appeared to be of a New Zealand child with a male. This led to the launching of a multi-agency inquiry that resulted in a Te Awamutu man being recognised by a Cambridge detective and the file being referred to Te Awamutu CIB."

Mr Page said during the course of an extensive investigation, material relating to the possession and distribution of objectionable material related to the exploitation of young boys was identified.

"In addition a number of firearms and drug offences were identified as occurring early last year. On 20 June detectives arrested the pair in Christchurch and charged the man with 69 offences pertaining to sexual abuse against very young children, a multitude of objectionable material matters and further firearms related offences.

"The woman was charged with one count of making an objectionable publication. When located the man was found to be using a pseudonym and to have obtained a false birth certificate and driver's licence."

Mr Patterson said while the case had progressed to the point of being put before the courts investigators were continuing their work and the multi-agency inquiry was continuing.