A Newfoundland man is facing several charges, including possession of child pornography and mailing obscene material, after allegedly ordering a child sex doll from Japan.

Const. Terry Follett, a member of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary’s child exploitation unit, says it’s the first time Criminal Code charges have been laid in relation to a child sex doll in Newfoundland — and it’s the first case he’s heard of it in Canada.

The four-foot-tall doll, Follett says, depicts a lifelike, prepubescent female with genitals and is considered child pornography.

“It’s by no way a standard doll that anyone would go purchase for their children to play with. The doll and the accessories that come with it (are) used for sexual gratification purposes.”

On Jan. 30, Canada Border Services officers were inspecting international mail at a processing facility in Mississauga when they flagged the package for a more detailed examination. The parcel was travelling from Japan to a home in St. John’s and they suspected it contained child pornography.

On March 12, RNC officers and criminal investigators with Canada Border Services executed a search warrant at that home in St. John’s and arrested a 47-year-old man.

The RNC hasn’t released his name. He’s been released from custody to appear in court at a later date.

In addition to charges of child pornography and mailing obscene material, he faces possession of prohibited goods and smuggling charges under the Customs Act.

Follett first heard of the disturbing dolls while taking a training course in Ottawa this past November. He says they’re relatively new on the international market and after seeing one with his own eyes, he’s worried more of the dolls could end up in Canada.

“You talk about it in training, but when you actually come across it and you get an investigation dealing with that, then it’s quite shocking to see it.”

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