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An international investigation has led to the arrest of well-known Durban entertainer Anthony Stonier, also known as the ‘Pantomime King’ on charges related to child pornography this week.

Anthony Clive Stonier, a veteran in the local entertainment industry, was arrested during a dramatic raid at his Durban home last week, after arresting his alleged accomplices at a previous date.

Hundreds of images and videos of children were seized from his devices by the on-scene forensic investigator.

According to Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, “The 58-year-old entertainer is the 12th person to be arrested during these ongoing operations”.

“The SAPS Serial and Electronic Crime Investigations (SECI) unit, KZN police and the US Department of Homeland Security arrested Stonier for the possession, distribution, accessing, downloading, facilitating, viewing and manufacturing of child pornography. The arrest was executed by the newly appointed head of the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Investigation Service,” said Mathe.

Image: IOL

“Hundreds of images and videos of children were seized from his devices by the on-scene forensic investigator. Included were chats with a previous accused arrested in Umbilo.”

The chats contained, among other things, information relating to boys who “are available for sexual favours at (the) price of R2,500 and that a willing buyer has the choice of them being drugged or not,” Mathe said.