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Australian authorities have uncovered a disturbing international child exploitation network with alleged links to satanic and occult rituals, following a series of coordinated raids across Sydney last week. The investigation, led by the New South Wales Police Sex Crimes Squad under Strike Force Constantine, resulted in the arrest of four men and the seizure of thousands of “abhorrent” child abuse files. 

Det. Supt. Jayne Doherty, commander of the NSW Sex Crimes Squad, confirmed that the suspects were part of a global online ring trading graphic content depicting children, ranging from infants to 12 years old, being abused, tortured, and exploited, sometimes alongside animals.

Police allege the group actively shared material embedded with satanic and occult symbolism. “Police will allege in court that this international group were engaging in conversations and the sharing of material which depicted child abuse and the torture of children involving symbols and rituals linked to Satanism and the occult,” Doherty said.

During the raids, officers discovered thousands of videos and files of child sex abuse on seized electronic devices, with forensics teams still cataloguing the material.

Raids Across Sydney; Leader of Group Arrested

On Thursday, police executed six search warrants across Waterloo, Ultimo, Malabar, and other suburbs. Landon Germanotta-Mills, 26, was arrested in Waterloo and is alleged to be the ring’s key figure.

Germanotta-Mills is the founder of the Underground Media Network, a platform claiming to champion child protection and whistleblower advocacy. Despite these claims, police say he played a “leading role” in administering access to the abuse material through an internationally operated website.

He faces multiple charges, including seven counts of using a carriage service to access child abuse material. Footage released by police shows tactical officers smashing through an apartment door before taking him into custody.

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More Than 20 Charges Filed; Bail Refused

All four men arrested face over 20 combined charges related to:

Possessing and distributing child abuse material

Bestiality offences

Drug possession

Failing reporting obligations

Contravening prohibition orders

All were refused bail, with police stressing concern about their access to children.

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Victims Not Yet Identified

Authorities have not yet verified where the material was created nor identified any victims. Doherty said investigators currently do not believe the men filmed the abuse themselves. “We were concerned about any children these people might come in contact with,” she noted, adding that NSW Police are coordinating with international law enforcement agencies to track the origins of the content.

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