Police in Hong Kong, overseas arrest 272 child pornography suspects in unprecedented joint operation
- Officers have arrested 13 suspects in the city, among 272 rounded up in global operation with law enforcement in Australia, Singapore, South Korea and UK
- Twelve of the local suspects arrested for allegedly downloading or storing material, while one man accused of procuring underage victim to make child pornography
Police in Hong Kong and overseas have arrested 272 suspects in an unprecedented joint operation targeting child pornography.
The force revealed on Friday it had linked up with counterparts in Australia, Singapore, South Korea and the United Kingdom for the operation code-named “Singlesword”.
Acting Senior Superintendent Hui Yee-wai of Hong Kong police’s cybersecurity and technology bureau said 13 suspects were arrested in the city on Monday last week, with officers seizing 972 pornographic videos and photos featuring children.
Hui said none of the victims seen in the seized material appeared to be Hongkongers, but investigations were still under way.
Police in the five places seized more than 400 computers and external storage devices, along with 155 mobile phones, in raids between February 26 and March 29.
The 13 men arrested in the city included a teacher, chef, technician and retiree, according to police.