Thirty-three Queenslanders have been amongst a group of 348 people charged across the globe in an operation targeting the production and sale of commercially produced child exploitation films.

In 2010 Toronto Police Service (TPS) Child Exploitation Section commenced an undercover investigation known as Project Spade following complaints regarding a website advertising “naturist” films.

Determining many of the films were being exported into the US, Toronto Police teamed with United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) to conduct investigations into the website, its origins and those responsible for its operation.

As part of the investigation USPIS officers obtained several movies and determined according to Canadian law, the films to be without question, child exploitation material.

“The films featured young naked males from the Ukraine, Romania and Germany and were produced for one single purpose. These were not “artistic” or “naturist” as the website claimed. There was little doubt these children were recruited for the sole purpose of producing child exploitation material to be sold across the world to those willing to pay for the privilege,” Detective Superintendent Cameron Harsley Child Safety and Sexual Crimes Group said.

The website was found to be selling films not only made by the website operators, but other commercial operators.

In May 2011, Canadian investigators raided the business premises and various locations (including the residence of the alleged operator) across the city of Toronto. Police spent four days at the primary business address and seized computers, DVD burning and video production equipment and 45 terabytes of digital data from computers, external hard drives and servers. They also seized thousands of CEM DVDs and films.

“To put this into context – 45 terabytes of data is equivalent to 15,000 DVDs worth of data. But this is not ordinary data or text, this is thousands of hours of degrading child exploitation material,” Detective Superintendent Harsley said.

Investigators charged a 42-year-old Toronto man with 24 offences, including numerous child pornography and proceeds of crime offences. It will be alleged the man had paid to have children recruited and filmed in Eastern European countries.

Integral to the investigation was the discovery of the list of customers who had bought films from the website. Following months of analysis, Canadian Police gathered this information and distributed it across the globe to law enforcement in Australia, Spain, Mexico, South Africa, Hong Kong, Norway, Ireland and Greece.

As a result of investigations across the globe to date, 348 people have been charged and 386 children have since been removed from abuse in Canada, Spain and the United States (see note).

In February 2013, Canadian Police contacted the Queensland Police Service’s Task Force Argos with a list of potential Queensland offenders. As a result Task Force Argos launched Operation Lima Stampede to locate, investigate and prosecute those who had allegedly purchased films from the website.

“Once we received the list and saw some of the occupations of the alleged offenders we knew we had to act quickly. Identifying potential at-risk situations is a high priority for us and in this situation our concerns were certainly raised,” Detective Superintendent Harsley said.

Investigators executed a total of 38 search warrants on residences across Queensland from Surfers Paradise to Atherton. Included in the list were a range of occupations including teachers, an accountant, a nurse and a carer.

To date, 33 Queenslanders have been charged with a total of 209 offences. In some instances raids have uncovered thousands of DVDs that have required review and categorisation.

“This case provides conclusive evidence that despite the best efforts of industry and law enforcement, the commercial sexual exploitation of children continues. The Australians that have allegedly paid for these movies and images propagate the market for this material resulting in the ongoing sexual abuse of children, many from impoverished countries.

“We maintain there needs to be a zero tolerance level for the sexual exploitation of children and this is supported by the operational results achieved by the Queensland Police Service in response to Project Spade. Our congratulations to the Toronto Police Service and United States Postal Service for their leadership and initiative in closing down this criminal enterprise,” Detective Inspector Jon Rouse Task Force Argos said.

Note – Children rescued across the globe were not involved in the website film production. These children have been identified as being in at-risk situations following the arrest of alleged offenders.