Let's start off by saying totally clearly, CSAM is terrible and anyone distributing or purchasing it is a horrible person. The harm, trauma this causes to children worldwide is indescribable.
That said, what is the actual crime they are going to be charged with? There are no actual laws preventing this, the article even states:
Operation Cumberland has been one of the first cases involving AI-generated child sexual abuse material (CSAM), making it exceptionally challenging for investigators, especially due to the lack of national legislation addressing these crimes.
And even if it was, surely you must look at the model makers themselves as well. Further on, the article even states the following:
Even in cases when the content is fully artificial and there is no real victim depicted, such as Operation Cumberland, AI-generated CSAM still contributes to the objectification and sexualisation of children.
In the most honest manner possible, is there anyone that could explain what factual laws are broken here? There may even be an argument to be made that this is better because no actual children are harmed?
