A Sydney man has been sentenced to 28 months’ imprisonment after admitting to importing child abuse material into Australia, with investigators alleging he attempted to conceal digital storage devices inside his shoes and underwear to evade border detection.

The Australian Border Force (ABF) said the then 52-year-old was stopped by investigators after arriving at Sydney International Airport in June 2025. During a search, officers allegedly discovered a significant quantity of child abuse material on electronic devices he was carrying, as well as additional hard drives hidden on his body.

According to court documents, the man imported a large volume of child abuse material on digital devices and concealed multiple hard drives within his shoes and underwear in an attempt to bypass border security.

Following his arrest, he was refused bail and remained in custody while the matter proceeded through the courts.

In February 2026, the man pleaded guilty to four offences:

• Importing Tier 2 prohibited goods contrary to section 233BAB(5) of the Customs Act 1901;
• Transmitting child abuse material contrary to section 474.22(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995;
• Accessing child abuse material contrary to section 474.22(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995; and
• Possessing child abuse material contrary to section 474.22A(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995.

On Thursday, the Downing Centre District Court in Sydney sentenced the man to 28 months’ imprisonment, with a non-parole period of 14 months.

Australian Border Force Investigations Superintendent Shaun Baker said the case highlighted the critical role frontline officers play in detecting serious criminal offending at Australia’s border.

“Child abuse material on portable electronic devices is not a victimless crime. Children are not commodities to be used for the repugnant gratification of sexual predators,” Superintendent Baker said.

He said people involved in such offences often employed increasingly sophisticated methods of concealment but warned they would continue to be detected.

“Persons will attempt all forms of concealment to avoid the eyes of Border Force officials, but officers are attuned to observing suspicious behaviours of passengers at airports across Australia.”

“We are dedicated to stopping all forms of this deplorable content from making its way over the Australian border.”

The ABF said officers routinely examine passengers, baggage and electronic devices where intelligence or behavioural indicators warrant further investigation.

The agency urged anyone with information about suspicious activity affecting Australia’s border security to report it through Border Watch, stating that community reporting plays an important role in protecting vulnerable people and preventing serious criminal activity.

The case is the latest reminder of the Australian Border Force’s ongoing efforts to intercept child abuse material at the border and target offenders who use international travel to facilitate child exploitation offences.

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