Child abuse material seized on ships

Filipino man Jayson Cosme, 30, was arrested and charged with six counts of importing objectionable video material showing such abuse.

Cosme had 25 images, including video, in a laptop on board commercial cargo ship Tasman Trader, on which he was a crewman.

It was the first operation of its kind in Tauranga and chief customs officer Steve Wineti said he did not know of any other case nationwide where they had seized so much material involving child sexual abuse at a port.

Cosme has appeared in Tauranga District Court.

He was convicted and fined $1000 on each charge, along with costs amounting to a total of $6797.