By Anita Dangazele
- A 16-year-old was arrested in Malmesbury on Monday, after intelligence from the FBI and the US Embassy identified him as a person of interest.
- Police say devices seized from him contained child sexual abuse material, and several child victims have already been identified.
Police arrested a 16-year-old in Malmesbury, Western Cape, on Monday, after intelligence shared by international law enforcement agencies identified him as a suspect linked to a violent online network associated with child exploitation.
The South African Police Service said its National Serial and Electronic Crime Investigations team acted on intelligence from the FBI, the United States Embassy, and the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children. That intelligence pointed to a suspect in South Africa believed to be connected to an international online network police identified as “764,” which they described as involved in the exploitation, blackmail and coercion of minors, among other serious criminal activity.
Investigators traced the suspect to an address in Malmesbury and arrested him there. A preliminary search of his electronic devices uncovered material police say depicts child sexual abuse. Police say a number of child victims have already been identified, and the devices will now undergo full forensic analysis.
The operation involved the National SECI Team, the Head Office Occult Unit, the Paarl Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit, the Paarl K9 Unit, the Western Cape Crime Scene Investigation Unit, and agents from the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations.
The teenager is expected to appear before the Malmesbury Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday. Police say further charges relating to fraud and money laundering may follow as the investigation continues.
Pictured above: A chair and other electronics allegedly used by the 16-year-old teenager.
Image source: SAPS
