Three men face charges for child sex offences and supplying drugs to children following a two-month investigation and police raids in Geelong and Winchelsea.
Geelong police executed a number of warrants at residential properties in Geelong, Herne Hill and Winchelsea around 7am on Wednesday as part of Operation Epicycle.
They arrested three men following a joint investigation into youth exploitation by the Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team (SOCIT) and Youth Tasking Unit.
Geelong SOCIT Detective Senior Sergeant Michael Harvey said the investigation highlighted how seriously police take the exploitation of vulnerable children and youth.
“Police are committed to acting swiftly to protect children and young people at risk of sexual exploitation and disrupt those who prey on them.”
Police arrested a 59-year-old Geelong man and charged him three counts of indecent act with a child under 16, assault with a weapon, unlawful imprisonment, nine counts of supply drug of dependence to a child, six counts of introduce drug of dependence to the body of another, four counts of breach an IVO, unlicensed driving, possess drug of dependence.
He has been remanded to appear at Geelong Magistrates’ Court on 5 October.
Police arrested a 52-year-old Herne Hill man and charged him with threat to commit a sexual offence, unlawful imprisonment, four counts of supply drug of dependence to a child, two counts of introduce drug of dependence to the body of another, two counts of recruit a child to engage in criminal activity and two counts of possess drug of dependence.
He has been remanded to appear at Geelong Magistrates’ Court on 5 October.
Police arrested a 45-year-old Winchelsea man and charged him with three counts of traffic a drug of dependence to a child, supply drug of dependence to a child, commit indictable offence whilst on bail, possess prohibit weapon and possess ammunition.
He has been remanded to appear at Geelong Magistrates’ Court on 22 August.
Police urged anyone with information or who would like to report exploitation of vulnerable youth in the Geelong area to phone Geelong SOCIT on 5246 8101.
Anonymous reports can also be made to Crime Stoppers online or by phoning 1800 333 000.
