The U.S. Customs Service Monday announced four arrests and the execution of 15 search warrants — one in Utah — in the investigation of a Russian Web site selling child pornography videotapes over the Internet and through the mail.
In a joint effort known as Operation Blue Orchid, Moscow city police and U.S. Customs identified a group of Russian child pornographers engaged in the production and distribution of child pornography to customers in the United States and Europe.
"The global nature of the Internet demands a global response by law enforcement to protect innocent children, regardless of their nationalities," said Acting U.S. Customs Commissioner Charles Winwood on Monday.
Melodie Rydalch, spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney's Office in Utah, said the only information available about a local connection to the case is that a warrant was served in Utah.
"There have been no charges, no names released," she said.
Officials say Blue Orchid is the third child pornography distribution network to be taken down by U.S. Customs and Moscow police.