PUBLIC AFFAIRS SECTION

Press Release

18 June 2007
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Helps UK Smash Global Online Child Abuse Network

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has helped British authorities break up an online trading ground for indecent images of children and live exchanges involving abuse. The international operation was led by the UK's Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre.

"This case is an excellent example of how international cooperation and support can safeguard children from harm," said the Embassy's ICE Attaché, Scott Davis.

This complex investigation has resulted in the co-ordination of law enforcement agencies from 35 countries and their subsequent, ongoing investigations that indicated there were more than 700 suspects worldwide.

To date, the international operation has led to 31 children being rescued from abuse or harmful situations. Further information can not be released until ongoing investigations have ended.

"Those who would sexually exploit children online need to understand that they are not anonymous in their chat rooms," said Davis. "ICE has technical resources and a large contingent of highly trained, dedicated and committed law enforcement agents who will always be one step ahead of them."

This case is only the most recent success in an ongoing long-term effort called 'Operation Predator.' Operation Predator is a comprehensive program that targets child predators of all types and is rapidly racking up more than 10,000 arrests.

"ICE has unique authority to pursue cyber criminals," noted Davis. "Our customs enforcement role means that any contraband which crosses the border - be that either the real or virtual border - falls under our enforcement authority. Child pornography that crosses the border in the form of a data file is our business and we will make sure perpetrators of this trade are brought to justice."

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