In one of the largest global investigation of its kind, 65 Australian nationals among 339 other suspects have been arrested worldwide by law enforcement agencies as they cracked down on an international child exploitation Web site operating from Canada. The three-year long investigation saved 6 Australian children among 386 others worldwide from exploitation.

The international investigation was led by the Toronto Police Service (TPS) who uncovered a large global network of people who were using a Canada-based Web site to access child exploitation materials.

In Australia, the country-wide nature of the investigation which led to the arrest of the 65 people can be gauged from the fact that Australian Federal Police, along with police authorities of North South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, Queensland, Tasmania, and Northern Territory, were involved in the operation.

Arrests in Australia were made during the course of the investigation after Canadian authorities established the identities of Australian nationals who were customers of the child exploitation Web site.

Following information from TPS, the AFP and local police authorities conducted an operation code- named 'Thunderer' spread across the country. With 103 search warrants issued across the country 65 people were arrested under 399 offences relating to child exploitation.

The press release said, the suspects arrested in Australia are in the age group of 25-72 years. They have been charged with a range of offences including accessing, possessing, producing and distributing online child exploitation material.

A joint media release issued on Friday by the AFP along with other police agencies said six Australian children are among the 386 children worldwide saved from exploitation.

Commenting on the investigation, AFP Manager Cyber Crime Operations Glen McEwen termed the investigation as a triumph for Australian law enforcement agencies in their efforts to keep children safe.

"The AFP and state and territory police worked relentlessly alongside international partner agencies to bring these offenders to justice," Commander McEwen said in the media release.

"This global investigation has disrupted a wide-spread international network of suspects, in a powerful demonstration of law enforcement working together to protect children around the world," he said.