Midrand resident arrested for 10 million child pornography videos and photos on various electronics
Police also found drugs, multiple devices and about 10 million child pornography images and videos at the suspect's Midrand house.
A 35-year-old suspect, who was arrested for possessing, accessing, downloading and the distribution of child pornography as well as for possession of drugs, and fraud in Midrand, will remain in custody.
Darryn Wilken appeared briefly in the Randburg Magistrates’ Court on January 21 with the case being postponed to January 28.
He also faces charges of possession of stolen property and money laundering after R560 000 was found during the takedown operation.
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National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane said the State requested a seven-day postponement from the court to allow investigation officers to further probe the allegations of money laundering and to prepare for the formal bail application process.
On January 17, a team of investigators attached to the national and Gauteng provincial Serial and Electronic Crime Investigations (SECI) units executed a search-and-seizure warrant at the suspect’s residence, Rosa Royal Estate, on January 17.
The operation was led by the component head for Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences, Major General Mmantsheke Lekhele.
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Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk said the arrest emanated from information shared by international law enforcement with SAPS after they had identified a ‘target’ in South Africa.
“During the operation, several electronic devices suspected to contain child sexual abuse material were confiscated. A forensic analysis of these devices was conducted on scene by cybercrime experts, and an estimated 10 million child pornography images and videos have been detected thus far. A large amount of cash, believed to be the proceeds of crime, was also seized,” said Van Wyk.
She added further investigation by the SECI teams revealed that the suspect was hosting and distributing child pornography on a global scale for financial gain.
This success follows recent arrests made by the SECI teams. In December last year, a 41-year-old former school principal in Pretoria and a 49-year-old suspect in Vanderbijlpark were apprehended during similar operations.
In the past two years, police have arrested 21 suspects on charges related to child pornography countrywide.
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