The Australian Border Force (ABF) has confirmed the Friday arrest of an unnamed Malaysian national attempting to enter the country via Perth International Airport who was found to have child pornography on his mobile phone.
Immigration officers have since seized the man’s phone, and cancelled his visa, in addition to taking him into custody. He was stopped after being pulled over upon arrival from Kuala Lumpur to have his luggage and electronic devices checked.
“During the examination of his mobile phone officers allegedly found abhorrent material, including a video depicting the sexual abuse of a child,” an ABF media statement read.
Australian immigration officials have broad authority to search items entering the country, and can request that you unlock your digital devices should they have reason to search based on individualized suspicion of illegal activities.
Last year, a 43-year-old Malaysian man was detained at Perth airport under similar charges. At the time, officials called the child pornography material on his electronic devices “horrific.”
He will now be charged with importing prohibited goods under the Australian Customs Act, which carries up to ten years in prison if found guilty, or a AU$525,000 (RM1.5 million) fine, or both.
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