Alleged bikies and associates make up one third of the hundreds of arrests made under Operation Ironside, along-term covert investigation into organised crime allegedly responsible for huge drug imports. The covert surveillance led to the termination of dozens of search warrants on Monday and a swathe of arrests putting a heavy dent in the criminal drug trade here and preventing the Comancheros earning millions of dollars from narcotics. Mildura Comancheros boss Joshua Faulkhead, 39, pleaded guilty to charges related to trafficking of the drugs ice, cocaine and ecstasy, as well as blackmail and causing injury. On its glitzy website, the 'ANoM' phone looks like any new tech innovation with sleek black lines, 'invite only' exclusivity and a pledge to 'enforce your right to privacy'. Pictured: weapons seized by detectives, Australia's world-first Assistance and Access Act passed in 2018 allows intelligence agencies to require tech companies to hand over encrypted messages. LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) Dozens of people were arrested, and more than 5,000 pounds of methamphetamine and nearly $16 million was seized in the Southern California area amid a nationwide operation . Operation Hoffman, a sting designed by Australia's most secretive and powerful law enforcement agency, the Australian Crime Commission, would topple a billion-dollar empire extending across two continents and send a drug lord into hiding. Comancheros in WA: New details emerge about drug bust which led to arrest of former member Mohammed Oueida. An officer who identified himself as Detective Roy Morrish was standing at the forefront of the unit, motioning officers to unzip the large sports bag Micalizzi had loaded onto the cargo hold 15 hours prior. Some 21 execution plots were foiled and drug and gun smuggling networks dismantled. It was a 30-plus degree summer day and, although a cyclone was gravitating towards Western Australia's northern coast, not a gust of wind was blowing at the strip. Santos is eight years into a 15-year sentence and will tell anyone who listens he is innocent. Acting detective inspector John Brunton from the national organised crime group said police are determined to target the leaders and key members of gangs that are involved in drug dealing. But they're not okay. Australia's biggest ever police bust used encrypted app to intercept messages Alleged bikies and associates make up a third of 303 Operation Ironside arrests Hardest hit gang were the Comancheros . AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw said federal agents had been in the 'back pockets' of criminals through the encryption app. 'The operation puts Australia at the forefront of the fight against criminals who peddle in human misery and ultimately, it will keep our communities and Australians safe,' he said on Tuesday. "I did say this as this was the defence I was running," he wrote in a letter from Acacia Prison. New Zealands previous largest drug bust was in 2016, when 501kg of methamphetamine was seized in Northland, including 449kg from a camper van and 52kg found buried at Ninety Mile Beach. The devices organically circulated and grew in popularity among criminals, who were confident of the legitimacy of the app because high-profile organised crime figures vouched for its integrity. James Hall @James_P_Hall 3 min read November 23, 2021 - 7:18PM NCA NewsWire He is Australia's most wanted man after fleeing Sydney for Turkey more than a decade ago when he was linked to a $230 million heroin importation syndicate. Faulkhead was arrested with five other men in January 2014 after large-scale drug raids in the Mildura region. Ayik, 42, is said to have unwittingly given police direct access to the criminal underworld by encouraging his colleagues to use the app. The app was invitation-only as of Tuesday morning - before the page was sensationally taken down and replaced with a warning by the FBI, Anom's Twitter account claimed the company was based in the famously neutral nation of Switzerland. It is estimated the meth could have caused more than $500 million worth of social harm if sold into the community. Fronting media in Auckland, Williams said the FBI had recently dismantled several encrypted platforms which criminals used to communicate, including Canadian-based Phantom Secure in 2018 and Sky Global earlier this year. New details about a massive WA drug bust which snared former Comanchero bikie Mohammed Oueida can be revealed for the first time, including how one of the three alleged drug smugglers fainted when first arrested by police. Operation Ironside is justthe beginning and the AFP is livingup to our maximum of keepingAustralians safe.'. The app gained currency in the underworld after being promoted by drug kingpins such as Australia's most wanted man,Hakan Ayik, after first being distributed by police informants. In the past three years, New Zealand Police had identified up to 20 organised crime groups committing offences across international borders, Williams said. Video / AFP It is being credited with catching underworld figures, mafia. Coster thanked Customs for its exceptional profiling of shipments from high-risk countries. www.heraldsun.cohttps://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/how-operation-ironsides-an0m-sting-put-a-hole-in-bikie-gangs/news-story/02b33f401ffff4ec7c87546646fcc5c9. That seizure was also allegedly tied to the Comancheros. Watch and listen to a variety of WA true crime series, video channels and podcasts with commentary on news, politics and current affairs. Be part of our story, and help us tell yours. Property seized included 3.7 tonnes of drugs, 104 weapons, $44,934,457 million in cash and assets expected to run into millions of dollars. Today's arrests include a leader of the Comancheros gang, who allegedly formed a partnership with a senior member of the Rebels gang in Christchurch, with both allegedly running drug distribution networks in their areas, police said in a statement. Collectively,these alleged offenders are facingjail terms that could run intohundreds of years and some of thecharges they are facing carry lifeimprisonment,' he said. Photo: RNZ / Dan Cook 3 Dec, . As the Aztec dived towards the runway at Jandakot, 20 kilometres south of Perth, Santos' only passenger tattooed 20-something-year-old Australian-Italian Joseph Micalizzi was finally waking up from his 15-hour drug-fuelled slumber. Twelve people, aged between 20 and 42, will appear in the Auckland District Court in the coming days on various drug related charges. Further charges against more people have not been ruled out. The asset recovery unit also restrained three properties, worth a total of $5.7m, meaning they cannot be sold. 'That's what we're doing. They were arrested in April 2019 during a major police bust. Nationwide News Pty Ltd 2023. Had we not made this seizure, those communities would have continued to suffer, and the individuals involved in this offending would continue to profit from the destruction with no regard for those they have affected. A 10-month investigation targeting an alleged bikie network in Brisbane connected to the notorious Comanchero gang has led to the arrest of 42 people on nearly 430 charges and the seizure of nearly $2m in drugs, cash and property. "Ah, we have an issue here," Detective Morrish said as he peeked inside the bag. A lawyer for the man charged with the murder of Toyah Cordingley has spoken to media following his clients appearance before a Queensland court four years after her body was found. 'STAY AWAY FROM ANOM IF YOU VALUE YOUR PRIVACY AND SAFETY,' the blogger wrote in an article, which has since been pulled down. Kylie Stevens For Daily Mail Australia, From Nivea moisturiser to two-minute noodles and of course, an Adidas shirt: Inside the 'getaway' bag of accused cocaine kingpin dramatically arrested as he attempted to flee Australia, How an undercover operative nicknamed 'Antman' infiltrated Mostafa Baluch's alleged drug syndicate to destroy a $270million coke deal and replace 900kg in powder with a sham load. Highs-powered rifles were among the weapons seized. Steve Milenkovski, 32, of Tuart Hill, Yavuz Ozan, 31, of Kogarah, NSW, and Hao Bi, 26, of East Perth, appeared in East Perth Magistrates Court charged with a range of offences related to the overnight raid. This . You can rely on Stuffs journalists to question the decision-makers, interview experts, and use eyewitness reporting to answer your key questions with facts and context. It will also be alleged six vehicles were either stolen or used to commit an offence including two cars, a motorcycle, truck, trailer and jet ski worth a combined $230,000. (Supplied) The Comanchero Motorcycle Club New Zealand president feared he was about to be arrested eight months before a major police bust and also suspected police were bugging his phone, a jury has been told. He is due to appear in Cleveland Magistrates Court on December 6. Had this shipment been distributed across New Zealand it would have caused immense harm to the vulnerable communities these criminal groups were preying upon.. Coster said he was proud of his police staff for the work they do to keep communities safe. 10:26 am on 9 June 2021. Senior leaders of the Comancheros and Rebels gangs have been arrested and hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash seized following a raft of armed police raids across Auckland and Christchurch. It comes as there have been tonnes of drugs and hundreds of arrests overseas. As officers searched the black sports bag, they uncovered nearly $8 million worth of drugs. This is along way from over.'. Remote landing strips were and still are a hole in Australia's national security network, too isolated and remote to be monitored effectively. 22:54 EST 13 Nov 2021 Inside the 'Aussie cartel': How nine 'baddest of the bad' How bikie drug gangs are 'infiltrating' airports and even Ukraine soldiers shoot down enemy drones with drones of their own, Wheel of Fortune contestant answers food puzzle wrong, Pavement where disabled woman gestured at cyclist before fatal crash, Pro-Ukrainian drone lands on Russian spy planes exposing location, 'Buster is next!' We'rebearing down upon them. Pictured: items seized by the AFP, More arrests are expected domestically and offshore under a coordinated global response connected to Operation Ironside. Police Commissioner Andrew Coster said Operation Trojan Shield would have an unprecedented impact on organised crime syndicates across the globe. By Nine other men conjointly charged with trafficking include: Police are hunting for the vehicle involved in a hit and run incident that left an 18-year-old in a critical condition. Almost $4 million in assets was seized in the raids, including luxury cars and property. Phil Hickey The West Australian. The shipment of 613 kilograms of methamphetamine was intercepted by police and Customs at Auckland Airport on Thursday. Police watched in real time as alleged crooks spilled their secrets to one another on their own app. He was denied bail and will reappear in court next week. 12:38, May 02 2022. "We are an area that is very rich at present - a great area for organised crime to come and focus on," Supt Migro said. He is due to appear in Cleveland Magistrates Court on Tuesday. The Aztec landed at Jandakot Airport just before 4pm. Australian bikie gangs have been crippled by almost 100 arrests stemming from the Trojan horse encryped messaging app AN0M. "They are establishing themselves here in WA.". Comancheros gang boss Pasilika Naufahu jailed for money laundering, conspiring to supply drugs Updated 19/02/2021 Jamie Ensor Zac Fleming Comancheros boss Pasilika Naufahu has been sentenced. Two shotguns and ammunition were also found. Please try again later. Watch: Australian Police take down mafia, Comancheros in early morning raids and seize millions in cars, drugs and cash. It is being credited with catching underworld figures, mafia personalities and terror suspects planning not only major drug imports but cold blooded executions. 23:02 EST 13 Nov 2021. NZ POLICE/Supplied. "The users believed their Anom devices were protected from law enforcement by the shield of impenetrable encryption.". Operation Ironside, started in 2018 with a fake encrypted communication app developed in partnership with the FBI. Pictured: one of hundreds of arrests, 'Wewill outsmart you. He is due to appear in Southport Magistrates Court on November 22. The phone, which supposedly allowed encrypted communications safe from the eyes of the law, was actually a cunning trap laid for a who's who of organised crime. A 37-year-old Capalaba man charged with 158 offences including two counts of trafficking in dangerous drugs - serious organised crime, one count of trafficking dangerous drugs, one count of producing dangerous drug, 130 counts of supplying dangerous drugs and weapon offences. Hayden Burber, 33,alleged treasurer of the South Australian Comanchero, Christian Taumoefolau, 31, allegedSergeant-at-Arms of the Victorian Comanchero, Eren Kaya, 28, alleged Sergeant-at-Arms from Victoria, Muhammed Topal,25, Victorian-based brother of high-ranking Comanchero figure Hasan Topal, Emmanuel Vamvoukais, 40, alleged sergeant-at-arms of the NSW South Coast, Elias Elchaar, 49, alleged national sergeant-at-arms of the Lone Wolf gang, The comments below have not been moderated, By But youknow, this isn't over. New Zealand investigators monitored thousands of messages made on 57 encrypted criminal devices. About five kilograms of the drug was found hidden in a car being transported to Perth from Sydney, while a search of 13 premises in Perth overnight turned up a further 210g. In 2008, police busted $8 million worth of drugs in a light plane flying to Jandakot Airport from NSW, kick-starting the largest police operation in history. A further 10 gang members and their associates have also been arrested in relation to their alleged roles in the network, which saw drugs and cash transported between the two cities, police said. He is due to appear in Cleveland Magistrates Court on January 20. If you value facts and being well-informed, please consider supporting Stuff. Not so shipshape! The phones were stripped down - they couldn't even make calls, access the internet or send emails. A 24-year-old Mount Gravatt East man charged with 17 offences including two counts of trafficking in dangerous drugs - serious organised crime, six counts of supplying dangerous drugs and one count of receiving or possessing property obtained from trafficking or supplying. The successful culmination of the investigations this week had caused significant disruption to organised criminal syndicates both here and overseas. 'He's (Ayik) essentially leveraged his position of trust in the underworld to push this platform and that's what generated its success. Mr Morrison said the AFP's covert mission was 'seeking to frustrate [the alleged criminals] in every link of the chain'. Trusted enough to keep an eye on Santos and ensure the safe delivery of the drugs, Judge Stevenson would describe Micalizzi's role as "likely to have not only included some financial reward but some relationship-building with those he was associated with". The investigation, dubbed Operation Weirton, had been looking at a criminal syndicates alleged links to importation of controlled Class A drugs into the country, Coster said. Huge AFP bust has seen 4,000 cops storm Australia's underworld overnight . , started in 2018 with a fake encrypted communication app developed in partnership with the FBI. Pilots wondered why it sat there, rusting, and told tall stories about where it came from. Members of the Rebels gang have been arrested after police searched 24 properties on Wednesday. He's pictured with wife Fleur Messelink on their wedding day, Hakan Ayik (pictured) has been on the run from Australian authorities since 2010. 7NEWS can reveal the bust is linked to exiled bikie Mark Buddle of the Comancheros.Police are making good progress dismantling his alleged empire of organise. Former Bachelorette star Samuel Minkin, who appeared on Becky and Elly Miles' season of the dating show, was charged with possessing a large commercial quantity of cannabis after police stopped a van in Byron Bay last month. Buddle was last known to be in Iraq and Ayik is believed to be still living in Turkey and is hiding from underworld figures after he was outed as one of the 'influencers' who unwittingly spread the AN0M encrypted device. We provided the technical capability to decrypt those messages,' he said. A 46-year-old Bracken Ridge man charged with 12 offences including two counts of trafficking in dangerous drugs - serious organised crime, four counts of possessing dangerous drugs, two counts of possessing property used in the commission of a crime, and once count of possessing property obtained from trafficking. What did do was send encrypted messages, photos and videos, using a foreign SIM card to apparently avoid Australian data snooping laws. They allegedly used the app, secretly developed by the FBI, to message each other around the world, unaware everything they said and did was being intercepted by FBI special agents and the Australian Federal Police. It comes as there have been tonnes of drugs and hundreds of arrests overseas. 'Illicit drug use ruins lives and fuels organised crime.'. 'It's like having The Rock (Dwayne Johnson) sponsoring your gym. Ukraine soldiers shoot down enemy drones with drones of their own, Wheel of Fortune contestant answers food puzzle wrong, Pavement where disabled woman gestured at cyclist before fatal crash, Pro-Ukrainian drone lands on Russian spy planes exposing location, 'Buster is next!' Samuel Minkin, 28, appeared in court last week after allegedly being busted by cops, The AFP is also likely to seek extradition requests of a number of persons of interest living overseas. Police said the raids targeted a group believed to be involved in the importation, distribution and manufacture of methamphetamine and MDMA. The president of the Comancheros and another member have pleaded guilty to part of their alleged involvement in a large scale money laundering and drug operation. It was March 5, 2008. Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group. Six people have been charged over a major methamphetamine importation and the biggest drug bust in New Zealand history. The Australian Federal Police announced on Tuesday that it had seized 3.7 tonnes of drugs, 104 weapons and almost $45million in cash as part of the operation - which was three years in the making. Acting Detective Inspector John Brunton outlines a major police operation targeting MDMA distribution (Video first published on October 29, 2020). It follows the first phase of Operation Cincinnati in October when 26 people were arrested and kilos of drugs was seized, along with multiple firearms and more than $10 million in assets. Police searched 21 properties across Auckland and three in Christchurch. A number of luxury cars were seized by police in October, including a 2019 Ferrari 488 Pista worth more than $630,000. This is a long way from over.'. (NSW Police) NSW Police arrested suspects related to drug offences as part of Operation Ironside. Three years ago, Australia Federal Policeidentified Ayik as a key influencer to successfully distribute the encrypted AN0M devices due to his high status in the criminal underworld. In Australia, 224 people were arrested including members of outlaw motorcycle gangs, mafia groups, Asian crime syndicates, and serious and organised crime groups. According to Santos, he was preparing his plane for take-off at Bankstown Airport in the early hours of March 4, 2008, when a car pulled up outside the airfield and a young man dressed in a white shirt and black pants, walked up to shake his hand. CULVER CITY, Calif. (KABC) -- Authorities made one of the largest drug busts in Los Angeles County history recently, seizing meth and cocaine with a street value of nearly $60 million, officials say. 'Andthese figures are likely to increaseover the coming days. They were unaware it was run by FBI agents and the Australian Federal Police who could read their every word. Regular chances to win incredible prizes like luxury getaways and sports tickets with our subscriber exclusive competitions. Credit:Nine News. "I saw this aeroplane come up and I just bought it out of curiosity," Nevan Pavlinovic said. BBC's 1million star Zoe Ball, 52, lands big new payday for Abba show on ITV. Coster said Thursdays bust was a significant result by the National Organised Crime Group to combat community hard caused by meth. However, in 2010, as the Australian branch of the syndicate started to unravel, Ayik fled the country. Get the news you want delivered to your inbox. A 41-year-old Gaven man charged with 11 offences including two counts of trafficking in dangerous drugs - serious organised crime and eight counts of supplying dangerous drugs. West Australian Newspapers Limited 2023. Pasilika Naufahu is on trial for drug, money laundering and organised crime charges. More charges are expected to be laid as Australian Federal Police work their way through the 25 million messages intercepted by the encrypted app. "Joseph Micalizzi," he said, a large sports bag hanging from his shoulder. Australia's biggest ever police bust has seen not only seen the arrests of the Who's Who of the globalcriminal underworld, but yielded an extraordinary haul of 3.77 tonnes of drugs, $45 million in cash, guns, luxury cars, motorbikes and watches. They had taken 15 vacuum-sealed bags filled with 30,000 MDMA tablets and more than 20 plastic bags containing almost 22 kilograms of methylamphetamine off the streets and, although they did not know it at the time, they had kick-started one of the largest law enforcement operations in Australian history. More arrests are expected domestically and offshore under a coordinated global response connected to Operation Ironside. A police investigation would later reveal Micalizzi was a drug runner for the Comancheros, a middleman in an international drug syndicate led by Turkish-Australian gym junkie Hakan Ayik. More than 800 suspected criminals have been arrested worldwide after being tricked into using an FBI-run encrypted messaging app, officials say. Senior members of the Comancheros gang purchased a catamaran and allegedly planned to rendezvous at sea with a "mothership" bringing large shipments of illicit drugs into New Zealand. The bust exposed new details about how one of Australia's most wanted fugitives gave police extensive access to the world's criminal underworld, Among the items seized by the AFP was memorabilia from the 1972 cult classic The Godfather, Australia's biggest ever police bust has seen 3.77 tonnes of drugs, $45 million in cash, guns, luxury cars, motorcycles and watches pictured) seized, Ninja Warrior 2017 contestant Sopiea Kong was among those arrested. "We believe the termination of these operations will have a significant impact on New Zealand's organised crime scene.". At least one major gang hit back at police yesterday - labelling the operation a smear campaign. He is due to appear in Cleveland Magistrates Court on January 20. Gang expert - Canterbury University criminal justice director Jared Gilbert - said many organised criminals would be looking over their shoulders following the major police bust. Micalizzi, who claimed he was threatened into flying to Perth by Oz and Bowa over a $20,000 drug debt and had no knowledge of the drugs, would later say he "took a gamble in court". Desperate drivers are taking to social media to buy and sell demerit points, risking eye-wateringly expensive fines in the process. Santos claims he had no knowledge of any drugs being transported on the plane and maintains there was no forensic evidence linking him to the bag. The arrests include three sergeants-at-arms, a club president, and other office bearers. Never seen anything like it': Medics and care workers hits back at Matt Hancock by revealing Rishi Sunak told Matt Hancock that Dominic Cummings' time in Downing Street was 'a nightmare', new WhatsApp Madonna's Skid Row brother: For years the superstar, 64, was accused of shunning him. The #1 Biker News Website Since 2011-Covering up to minute biker news including Outlaw Motorcycle Clubs & Biker News Worldwide. One of the operations - dubbed Operation Van - specifically targeted the transnational organised crime group linked to the Comancheros. He is due to appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court on December 12. Police and Customs managed to intercept more than 600kg of methamphetamine at Auckland Airport. We appreciate the assistance provided by Customs in this operation, particularly with the exceptional profiling of shipments from high-risk countries which end up resulting in these large interceptions. He is due to appear in Cleveland Magistrates Court on Tuesday. Waikato Mongrel Mob's public relations liaison, Lou Hutchinson, took to Twitter to say: "Lol do you seriously believe all the bullsh*t spin about the Waikato Mongrel Mob Kingdom [sic] this is a total smear campaign driven by the NZ Police, politicians and mainstream media! 'The cash that we've seized, which they now owe debts on, the drugs that have been seized which they now owe debts on,' Superintendent McArthur said. Five members face charges over a fatal bikie brawl at Sydney Airport last year. The bust exposed new details about how one of Australia's most wanted fugitives gave police extensive access to the world's criminal underworld. "There will be a lot of organised criminals looking at how they're communicating over devices and wondering if they're next.". He had done the trip a handful of times before. ANoM's website, which was only deleted about 10am on Tuesday, made the technology sound bulletproof. The 33-year-old was charged last week following a raid at a Kangaroo Point home, where police allegedly seized 154g of meth. Successful police operations like Trojan Shield also ensured organised crime groups "don't gain an asset base which they can use to corrupt government officials or port or airline workers, which can make their operations easier to undertake". A man shot dead during the horrific Wieambilla terror attack has been posthumously bestowed the highest honour. Get the news you want delivered straight to your inbox so you never miss a headline. Ayik, subbed one of the world's most prolific drug-smuggling masterminds, was later detained in Cyprus but then escaped and fled to Turkey, where he has created a new life. 7NEWS can reveal the bust is linked to exiled bikie Mark Buddle of the Comancheros.Police are making good progress dismantling his alleged empire of organised crime.