Fifth man charged in police crackdown on child exploitation in Cairns

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A 37-year-old Woree man has become the latest in a string of alleged child abusers to be arrested during a police investigation targeting grooming and exploitation in the Cairns area.

Operation Uniform Kalahari began just a few weeks ago, with five men charged with a total of 86 offences so far.

The 37-year-old is the youngest among them, and is facing the most charges at 32.

They include six counts of supplying dangerous drugs to a minor 16-years or more, 12 counts of supplying dangerous drugs to a minor under 16-years, 12 counts of wounding, one count of indecent treatment of children under 16 and breach of bail.

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Police allege the young girls were groomed, indecently assaulted, and supplied with dangerous drugs including methylamphetamine and cannabis.

Detective Senior Sergeant Gooiker from the Child Protection and Investigation Unit said more arrests are likely.

“We investigate all reports of offences against children, and acknowledge the courage required by a young person to come forward and make a complaint,” he said.

“Thanks to the bravery of these children in speaking up, we have arrested and charged a number of offenders and put them before the courts.”

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Last week, a 71-year-old Cairns man was charged with eight offences, including four counts of supplying dangerous drugs to a minor, two counts of wounding and one count each of indecent treatment and grooming.

A 42-year-old Cairns man was charged on June 10 with supplying to a minor, wounding, indecent treatment and rape.

Two other Cairns men aged 67 and 56 were arrested in the early stages of the police operation.

Police and other support services are providing assistance to the young people involved and their families.

Officers are continuing their appeal to anyone with further information or who believes they or someone they know may have been impacted, to come forward.