Chiara Nava Six people were arrested red-handed and 18 others were charged with possession and distribution of child pornography . This is the result of a vast operation by the State Police, conducted in several Italian regions and coordinated by the Milan Prosecutor's Office to combat the exploitation of minors online.
The investigative activity led to the seizure of a large quantity of computer material.
Investigators also identified three of the arrested individuals as minors who were victims of the production of illegal content. The suspects involved in the operation are between 38 and 58 years old.
The investigation began with the analysis of two devices seized in Milan
The investigation began with the forensic analysis of some computer devices seized last year from two people in Milan , who had already been at the centre of a previous investigation for similar crimes.
The investigations were conducted by the Lombardy Cybersecurity Operations Center, coordinated by the Postal Police's National Center for Combating Online Child Pornography.
By examining devices and monitoring online activity, investigators identified several groups on Telegram . The investigations led to the identification of 24 users involved in sharing illicit material and, in some cases, even producing it.
Six arrests were made in Campania, Sardinia, Calabria, and Veneto.
The six people arrested in flagrante delicto reside in various Italian provinces. Two were identified in Naples , one in the province of Salerno , one in the Sassari area , one in the province of Vibo Valentia , and one in the province of Padua.
The other 18 users identified during the investigation have been reported . Numerous computer devices and media were also seized during the operation, and will be subjected to the necessary checks.
The collaboration of the Postal Police in different regions
The execution phase of the operation involved numerous State Police offices. The Cyber Security Operations Centers of Milan, Naples, Florence, Genoa, and Reggio Calabria collaborated, along with several provincial Postal Police units.
The operation is part of efforts to combat online child pornography and the exploitation of minors through digital platforms. The State Police emphasized the importance of online monitoring and collaboration between investigative agencies to identify perpetrators and protect victims.