(RepublicanPress.org) – In today’s politically charged climate, it isn’t easy to see instances of international cooperation on a grand scale. However, a months-long effort to protect children from the ravages of abuse serves as a perfect example of the good that can result from multi-jurisdictional investigations.
On Tuesday, March 1, media outlets exploded with the news that a two-year investigation led by New Zealand law enforcement officials resulted in the arrest of hundreds of suspects. New Zealand’s Internal Affairs Department (DIA) launched the inquiry in 2019 after it received a tip from an internet service provider.
A 2-year international operation led by #NewZealand that identified over 90,000 online accounts that possessed or traded child sexual abuse material was finalized on March 2, arresting hundreds of offenders and rescuing children from harm. https://t.co/zf7ut9u3c1
— The Epoch Times (@EpochTimes) March 2, 2022
The tech company told DIA officials that thousands of individuals were using an online platform to exchange “horrific and devastating” material involving underage children. As a result, the DIA reached out to the FBI, the United Kingdom’s (UK) National Crime Agency, INTERPOL, Europol, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and Australia’s Federal Police for assistance in getting to the bottom of the operation.
The investigation, called “Operation H”, uncovered more than 90,000 accounts that traded or possessed unlawful material involving children. It resulted in the arrest of hundreds of suspects in the UK, 117 Australians, 46 New Zealanders, and several others scattered across the globe.
The operation also safeguarded 153 children located in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, and the UK.
Copyright 2022, RepublicanPress.org
