Italian police arrest 8 in child pornography crackdown, 49 under investigation across 35 cities

Two coordinated operations

Italian law enforcement carried out two major operations against online child sexual exploitation on 8 July 2026. The Catania prosecutor's office announced 7 arrests and 30 people under investigation, while the Naples prosecutor reported 1 arrest and 19 people reported to authorities. Both operations involved the Postal Police and the National Centre for Countering Online Child Pornography (CNCPO).

Catania investigation

The Catania operation, led by the Cyber Security Operations Centre, involved over 100 postal police officers executing personal and computer searches across 17 cities: Bari, Bolzano, Brescia, Catania, Caserta, Catanzaro, Enna, Frosinone, Lodi, Milan, Nuoro, Pescara, Potenza, Rimini, Turin, Venice and Verona. Five of those arrested reside in the province of Catania, one in Frosinone and one in Potenza. The suspects, all male, are aged between 19 and 59 and come from various social backgrounds, including students, unemployed, employees, professionals and workers.

The material found and seized from all suspects during the searches is being examined by investigators for further analysis aimed at confirming the evidence, gathering additional elements against still unknown subjects and identifying the young victims.

Naples investigation

The Naples operation originated from a computer search on a minor in Caserta in October 2024. On the minor's phone, numerous child pornography files were found and the presence of several Telegram groups was established, where many users exchanged photos and videos. The investigation led to a search decree for 25 subjects, mostly just adults, executed on 25 June 2026 in the provinces of Naples, Caserta, Bari, Matera, Palermo, Cagliari, Milan, Turin, Mantua, Monza Brianza, Cremona, Trieste, Venice, Bologna, Rome, Perugia, Terni and Frosinone. The searches confirmed the suspects' membership in the Telegram groups.

Telegram and dark web

Both investigations uncovered networks using Telegram to trade child abuse material. The Catania operation also analysed dark web navigation, mobile chats and IP addresses. Undercover work allowed specialists to identify several groups dedicated to exchanging videos of child pornography, including abuse of infants. Identifying the users required lengthy investigative work and data acquisition abroad, ordered by the Etna judiciary.

Next steps

Seized devices contain tens of thousands of illegal files. Investigators are now examining the material to confirm the evidence, identify additional perpetrators and locate the child victims. The operations highlight the ongoing challenge of encrypted platforms being used for the distribution of child sexual abuse material.