Australian federal and state police believe they have broken the Australian branch of a major child exploitation network.
In the past week, 14 arrests have been made by police operating in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and the ACT, with more arrests likely as the investigation, code-named Operation Belfort, continues.
Those arrested face 27 charges in relation to the alleged file-sharing network. They face a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison if convicted.
Cybercrime operations head Glen McEwen says what has been uncovered is disturbing.
"The searches uncovered hundreds of thousands of images and videos depicting sexual abuse, with some victims being still infants," he says.
"Allow me to place on the record my personal disgust at the abhorrent behaviour associated with the exploitation of children.
"I would like to make it extremely clear to online child predators that their activity is not immune to law enforcement and if they believe they can undertake this sort of activity undetected, then they need to think again."
Commander McEwen says it's hard to say how many people were involved in the network but he has confirmed that some of those charged are parents. He says children were at some premises when search warrants were executed.
The investigation began after a tipoff by Interpol in Germany in December.
