Sex Crimes Squad detectives have charged a man from Cumbalum following an investigation into alleged online child grooming under Strike Force Trawler — a specialist operation targeting the sexual exploitation of children online.

Police allege the 64-year-old engaged in sexually explicit conversations with what he believed to be an adult woman and her young daughter. Detectives were in fact posing undercover as part of the investigation.

Strike Force Trawler is an ongoing operation by the State Crime Command’s Child Exploitation Internet Unit (CEIU), targeting individuals who attempt to exploit children through online platforms and telecommunications services.

Detectives began inquiries into the man’s online activity a month ago before executing a search warrant at his home in Ballina’s north early yesterday morning.

He was arrested and taken to Ballina Police Station, where he was charged with:

Using a carriage service(phone or computer) to groom a child aged under 16 (two counts),

using a carriage service to make child abuse material available and failing to comply with reporting obligations

The man was refused bail and a will reappear in Ballina Local Court on January 1.

Police urge anyone with information about online child exploitation to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.