In two unrelated cases, a 19-year-old Malaysian man and a 27-year-old Filipino man have been arrested and charged by Customs and Border Protection investigators for importing child pornography into Australia on their laptops.

Customs and Border Protection officers selected the Malaysian man for a baggage examination when he arrived at Perth International Airport on a flight from Singapore on Saturday (12 September).

Officers examined the man's laptop and detected several video files depicting child pornography. The man was questioned and subsequently arrested and charged by Customs and Border Protection investigators with one count of attempting to import child pornography.

The 27-year-old from the Philippines was selected for a baggage examination when he arrived off a flight from Hong Kong yesterday. The man's laptop and portable hard disk drive were examined and officers detected child pornography material. He too was questioned and later charged by Customs and Border Protection investigators with one count of attempting to import child pornography.

Importing or exporting such material across Australia's borders is in contravention of the Customs legislation and we take the matter very seriously, said National Manager Investigations Richard Janeczko.

"Customs and Border Protection will seize the evidential material, investigate the matter and prosecute where appropriate. Those found guilty face very serious penalties, including gaol time," Mr Janeczko warned.

The Malaysian man appeared in Perth Magistrates Court on Saturday 12 where he was granted conditional bail. He will reappear in the Perth Magistrates Court on
Friday 16 October 2009.

The Filipino man is appearing in Perth Magistrates Court today.

The maximum penalty for importing or exporting child pornography is $275,000 and/or 10 years imprisonment.

Media enquiries:
Customs and Border Protection Communication and Media (02) 6275 6793