Three men have been arrested and another is on the run after a tip off helped police uncover what they believe is a child exploitation operation in north Queensland.
Police have charged the men - aged 19, 22 and 49 - with a string of sexual offences including rape allegedly committed on four children aged 12 and 15 over two years.
Capping a three month investigation, police made the arrests when they raided a Bakers Creek residence south of Mackay.
However, a 21-year-old man ran away from officers and is yet to be found.
Police allege all four men know each other.
The arrests were part of Mackay's Child Protection and Investigation Unit's Operation Westmeath that was sparked by an anonymous call to Crime Stoppers in early January, police said.
"Police will allege the men used social media applications to contact and groom victims over a two-year period to produce and procure child exploitation material," a police statement said.
"They also allegedly committed sexual offences directly against the children."
The three men have been charged with a total of 27 offences including rape, unlawful carnal knowledge, indecent treatment of a child, permitting abuse of children on premises, grooming, involving a child in the making of exploitation material, possession of child exploitation material, deprivation of liberty and breach of privacy.
They have been refused bail and will appear in a Mackay court on Monday.
Police are undergoing forensic testing on several digital devices seized from the residence.
Anyone with information should contact police.
