A man and woman allegedly involved in making child sexual abuse material in the Darwin region are facing an additional 49 charges, with NT Police alleging the pair were “planning further offending” against children before they were arrested in October.

Police said Operation Kedron was struck last year after receiving intelligence that child exploitation material was being created in the Greater Darwin region involving the abuse of multiple children.

Search warrants were executed in Farrar and Karama in October where multiple electronic devices were seized as well as “several exhibits”, with the 32-year-old man arrested on October 9 and charged with gross indecency with a child under 14, as well as producing child abuse material and possessing child abuse material, among other charges.

The 29-year-old woman was arrested later that month in Johnston and charged with five counts of producing child abuse material, four counts of gross indecency with a child under 14 and indecent touching/acts with a child under 14.

The investigation – part of the NT Joint Anti-Child Exploitation Team (JACET) – continued and on Friday police announced 30 additional child abuse charges against the man and 19 additional charges against the woman.

Both remain in jail, with the man expected to appear in Darwin Local Court on January 29 and the woman on January 15.

A 26-year-old Karama man was also previously arrested and charged in connection to the alleged child abuse.

“This has been an extensive operation that has uncovered some truly abhorrent behaviour,” Commander Brendan Muldoon said.

“JACET detectives will be alleging the 32 and 29-year-olds, who are known to each other, were planning further offending. I commend the entire JACET team for their tireless work in investigating these offences and removing these alleged offenders from the community before more children were harmed.”

Members of the public who have any information about people involved in child abuse and exploitation are urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or https://crimestoppers.com.au/.

You can also make a report online by alerting the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation via the ‘Report Abuse’ button at www.accce.gov.au/report.

Police said online safety tips for parents can be found by visiting the eSafety Commissioner website at https://www.esafety.gov.au/.