ISKANDAR PUTERI: POLICE are not ruling out the possibility that a child pornography ring was involved in the kidnapping of a 6-year-old girl in Iskandar Puteri last month.
The girl was rescued and five people were arrested in connection to the kidnapping.
The motive for the girl's abduction has not been established, but investigators are now taking a closer look at one of the five suspects after child pornography and sex toys were found in his home.
The suspect is believed to be involved in a child pornography ring on the Dark Web.
The Dark Web is the part of the Internet that is not accessible by typical web browsers. It is often used to traffic in drugs and weapons, the sharing of child pornography and the trading of stolen data and counterfeit goods, among others.
It is understood that police have roped in forensics experts to help in their probe.
Johor police chief Commissioner M. Kumar said he could not reveal details of the investigation, but described what they found in suspect's home as "heinous". He said police were not content with closing the case following the girl's rescue.
"From day one, this case did not sit right with me. We kept digging deeper (after the suspects were arrested)," he told the New Straits Times.
"We'll conclude our investigations soon before we bring the suspects to justice."
It was reported earlier that police had rearrested a 31-year-old suspect, who had been previously released on bail for the kidnapping, after police found various sex toys, adult pornography, and child sexual abuse materials at his home in Kulai.
Kumar said the suspect was now being investigated under Section 10 of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 for accessing or possessing child sexual abuse materials.
If found guilty, the man faces up to five years in prison, a fine of up to RM10,000, or both. He is also being investigated under Section 292 of the Penal Code for possessing obscene materials. If found guilty, he faces up to three years in prison, a fine, or both.
Kumar urged parents to monitor their children's activities and emotional wellbeing closely to detect and prevent sexual crimes against minors.
He also encouraged the public to stay informed about current crime trends and educate their children on dangers, particularly on social media.
Those with information should contact the Johor police hotline at 019-2792095 or its operations room at 07-2212999.