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The Australian Border Force (ABF) says it has arrested a 27 year-old Canberra man for allegedly importing a child-like sex doll into Australia.
According to a statement released by the ABF, on 11 September officers at the Sydney Gateway Facility intercepted a suspicious parcel which arrived from China.
The consignment was described as containing a display shelf, but when it was opened it was found to contain a silicon child-like sex doll and items of children’s clothing.
Following up on this discovery, ABF investigators from NSW and the ACT executed a search warrant at premises in Kambah in the ACT on Thursday. While searching the premises they seized two electronic devices for further examination.
Later that day, investigators interviewed a 27 year-old Australian citizen at his place of employment. He was arrested and taken to Civic Police Station where he was charged. His phone was also seized for examination.
He has now been charged with contraventions of the Customs Act.
Regional Investigations NSW Superintendent Garry Low said the ABF has a zero tolerance approach to child abuse material.
“ABF officers use their unique skills and advanced technology to detect and stop prohibited items, including child-like sex dolls, at the border,” Low said.
“Our officers are also trained to investigate and prosecute those who seek to import this sickening material, which has no place in our community.”
In its statement, the ABF said the Customs Act was amended to clarify that child-like sex dolls are a form of child abuse material, providing more certainty to officers at the border.
Under the relevant section of this Act, an individual caught attempting to import child abuse material, including a child-like sex doll, can be charged with importing Tier 2 goods. The maximum penalty, if convicted, is up to 10 years’ imprisonment and/or fines of up to $555,000.
The man has been granted bail and will appear at the Canberra Magistrates Court on 16 November 2020.