Authorities in the United States and Australia have conducted sweeping raids in a joint operation to take down an international child abuse network.
The FBI announced the arrest of nearly 100 suspects allegedly involved in the massive child sex abuse network.
The operation was related to the deaths of two FBI agents, according to an announcement Tuesday.
The investigation by U.S. and Australian officials also led to the rescue of 13 children who were being held captive by the pedophile ring.
FBI legal attaché Nitiana Mann said in a media briefing that 79 people had been arrested by U.S. authorities.
43 of those arrested have already been convicted, Mann revealed.
Another 19 men were also arrested by police in Australia.
According to Australian police, the 19 men they arrested were aged between 32 and 81 years old.
The Australian Federal Police said that its investigation began in 2022 when the FBI provided information about a “technologically sophisticated child abuse network.”
The network involved Australians who created child abuse images and videos and used the dark web to circulate the content globally.
“The complexity and anonymity of these platforms mean that no agency or country can fight these threats alone,” said Mann.
That investigation involved a 2021 incident at the apartment of David Lee Huber in Sunrise, Florida.
During the incident, Huber fired upon FBI agents attempting to serve a search warrant for child abuse charges.
Huber killed two agents, Daniel Alfin and Laura Schwartzenberger.
He also injured three others before turning the gun on himself.
“After their murder, the FBI commenced an international operation targeting offenders on the platform,” said Australian police.
At the time, FBI Director Christopher Wray said in a statement that the two agents “exemplified heroism today in defense of their country.”
Australian police have indicated that additional arrests might be made in the case.
“We see it as a significant outcome and it should serve as a warning to those who are preying on our most vulnerable,” said Australian Federal Police Cmdr. Helen Schneider.
“We are looking for you, and we will find you and arrest you,” she added.
