Italy leads raids on suspected international child-porn ring

An Italian-led operation against a suspected international child pornography ring led to raids on 40 houses in Italy, Romania, Slovenia and Switzerland today.

Netherlands-based Europol, which assists in co-ordinating international police operations, said one person had been arrested so far.

Europol said it had provided technical expertise and helped identifying suspects in the operation, which was launched and led by Italy’s Carabinieri in Rome.

“Evidence is mainly related to an internet board whose members possessed and distributed child sexual abuse material,” Europol said.

It said the network operated by posting illegal images to the free board in encrypted formats for short periods of time.

“I am pleased that smooth European law enforcement co-operation and a prompt action facilitated by Europol, resulted in dismantling this dangerous and sophisticated network,” said Europol Director Max-Peter Ratzel.

“We stopped yet another circle of criminals perpetrating one of the most devastating and appalling types of crimes that can be committed against persons, namely the sexual abuse of children.”