65 AUSSIES ARRESTED IN CANADIAN PORN BUST

NSW police say two teachers, a priest and a former priest have been arrested as part of a global investigation into a Canadian-based child pornography ring.

Six Australian children are among the 386 around the world who have been removed from harm, they say.

More than 340 suspects around the world, including 65 Australians, were arrested during the swoop that was led by Toronto police.

The three-year investigation was announced by Canadian authorities on Thursday night.
The 65 Australians arrested have been charged with 399 offences.

In NSW they include a 42-year-old school teacher arrested at Cowra on July 24 and another 42-year-old Emu Plains teacher arrested on August 7.

A 72-year-old retired Catholic priest was arrested at Lake Haven on the Central Coast on August 20 and a 57-year-old priest was arrested at The Rocks on July 29.

They have all been charged with possessing child abuse material and using a carriage service to access child pornography and remain before the courts.

Project Spade smashed a child pornography ring spreading across the globe. Photo: Toronto Police.

NSW Police Sex Crimes Squad Commander Detective Superintendent John Kerlatec said the internet had created new opportunities for sex offenders.

"We will continue to prioritise the identification of these people so they can be put before the courts," he said in a statement on Friday.

"Behind every child abuse image there is a real victim who has been sexually exploited and abused, and we need to do everything we can to remove these children from harm and arrest those involved in that exploitation."

An AFP spokeswoman said that as well as the four men arrested by NSW police, federal police had made five NSW arrests, taking the total number of people arrested in the state to nine.

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