Australia's world-first Assistance and Access Act passed in 2018 allows intelligence agencies to require tech companies to hand over encrypted messages. Operation Trojan Shield saw the FBI create a closed encrypted company, called Anom, to fill this void, allowing investigators to eavesdrop on criminal communications about drug trafficking and money laundering activities across the globe. A 37-year-old Holland Park West man charged with 14 offences including two counts of trafficking in dangerous drugs - serious organised crime and one count of trafficking in dangerous drugs. Inside the Comanchero gang: Meth and coke and money laundering 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. Credit:Nine News. He had established his own flying company, Santos Aviation, in 2006 and bought his American-made Aztec a year later with a generous cash donation from a family friend. For its encryption, it claimed to use 'OMEMO Double Ratchet Algorithm independently audited by Dutch security research group Radically Open Security'. 7NEWS can reveal the bust is linked to exiled bikie Mark Buddle of the Comancheros. Some 224 people have been arrested, $44,934,457 in cash seized, as well as 104 weapons, 3.7 tonnes of drugs and multi-million dollar assets. What did do was send encrypted messages, photos and videos, using a foreign SIM card to apparently avoid Australian data snooping laws. Officers search the black sports bag containing nearly $8 million worth of drugs stored in the cargo hold. 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. Milenkovski was remanded in custody until March 3, while Ozan was remanded until March 5. 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!' The group is accused of transporting drugs into Queensland via heavy vehicles for distribution across the states southeast and central region. 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. Remote landing strips were and still are a hole in Australia's national security network, too isolated and remote to be monitored effectively. The catamaran was seized in Tauranga, where it remains in police custody. Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group. Video / Mike Scott. A man shot dead during the horrific Wieambilla terror attack has been posthumously bestowed the highest honour. Police claim Milenkovski is the president of the nascent WA chapter of the Comancheros and was in the process of establishing the club in the state. Inside the vehicle was a man and a woman and allegedly more than 30kg of deadly methylamphetamine. The drugs have a street value of more than $245 million, police said in a statement. Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Mooney said large quantities of cocaine, methylamphetamine, heroin and cannabis were uncovered during the arrests. Comancheros: Qld bikie bust nets 42 arrests, $2m in drugs and property SEE THE MAP Brayden Heslehurst and Marcel Baum 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. 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. 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. 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This is a high-value criminal sponsoring a criminal communications system,' Australian Federal Police Superintendent Jared Taggart told News Corp papers. 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. Police searched 21 properties across Auckland and three in Christchurch. 'THEY ARE COMPROMISED, LIARS AND YOUR DATA IS RUNNING VIA USA'. Faulkhead was arrested with five other men in January 2014 after large-scale drug raids in the Mildura region. Officers from Strike Force . In October, 20,000 ecstasy pills known as pink Porsche, luxury vehicles, properties and illegal firearms were seized through Operation Cincinnati. Senior bikies and mafia figures were tricked into buying hi-tech phones that would supposedly let them messages one another, free of police snooping. GitHub export from English Wikipedia. With millions of New Zealanders turning to us every day, its our mission to make Aotearoa a better place. At least 35 people were arrested who appeared yesterday in Auckland and Hamilton district courts facing nearly 1000 separate drug dealing and money laundering charges. Police will allege $640,000 in cash was uncovered as well as $1m worth of drugs, including 113kg of cannabis, 134 grams of cocaine and 84 grams of methamphetamine, as well as five handguns and eight rifles. The Aztec at a hangar at Jandakot Airpot. Now living in Turkey, he was tricked into distributing messages to his criminal associates around the world via encrypted communications app AN0M, unaware it was being run by FBI special agents. Operation Tango Citron uncovered a major drug network operating across the citys bayside region distributing cocaine, methamphetamines, MDMA and cannabis, according to Queensland Police Service. 'I expect a significant number of alleged criminals to be arrested over the coming months,' Australian Federal Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw recently told a Senate estimates hearing. 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. We will be a stepahead. 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. So that was pretty brazen to see that they were actually disloyal to their own groups,' he said. Operation Ironside: Australian police and FBI smash global crime ring 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. That seizure was also allegedly tied to the Comancheros. 'Some of the best ideas come over a couple of beers.'. The next few months after the bust, investigators from the Australian Crime Commission infiltrated international money-laundering streams and exposed Ayik's drug empire. Drug kingpin and Comancheros bikie associate Hakan Ayik has spent the last decade on the run from Australian authorities after fleeing the country in 2010. Weve got a newsletter for everyone. A 47-year-old Mackenzie man charged with 11 offences including two counts of trafficking in dangerous drugs - serious organised crime, three counts of supplying dangerous drug and weapon offences. Charles 'will NEVER build real relationship with Archie and Lili unless Harry and Meghan get new royal 'Putin has STOLEN our Ukrainian children': Distraught parents tell how THOUSANDS of youngsters never EMILY PRESCOTT: Sarah Ferguson 'confused' after seeing photos from goddaughter's wedding she thought she was Joe Biden is 'unlikely' to attend King Charles' coronation due to Ireland trip - despite promising to A 14-year-old autistic boy's naive prank. Two shotguns and ammunition were also found. By Nationwide News Pty Ltd 2023. 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. "WA police," a robust voice said firmly from the other side of the metal. Comancheros in WA: New details emerge about drug bust which led to 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. At the time, police seized 3kg of MDMA powder, 3kg of ephedrine, quantities of methamphetamine, cocaine and other drugs. 'We allege they've beentrafficking illicit drugs intoAustralia at an industrial scale. Police also seized a number of assets and eight luxury vehicles, including a 2019 Ferrari 488 Pista worth more than $630,000, and a 2020 Porsche 911 Coupe, worth more than $230,000. The bust exposed new details about how one of Australia's most wanted fugitives gave police extensive access to the world's criminal underworld. "The jury didn't buy it, I was found guilty at trial and got 15 years. 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. With his eyes glued to the yoke, dials and switches, Santos hadn't spotted the small army of uniformed officers. The arrests were made after 24 properties were searched on Wednesday 21 throughout the wider Auckland area, and three in Christchurch. We will abolish superannuation tax: Shadow treasurer, Bankman-Fried can have flip phone on bail, US proposes, Woman charged over pursuit through suburbs in stolen ute, Man to face court over death of teenage motocyclist, NSWs new hired gun in heist on WAs hard-earned GST cash, Victoria to dump minor offence reverse-onus bail test. (Supplied) abc.net.au/news/adf-sniper-bikie-boss-joshua-faulkhead-jailed-drugs-charges/6849724 A former Australian Defence Force (ADF) sniper who headed the drug trade in Victoria's Mildura region as a Comancheros bikie boss has been sentenced to nine years and five months in jail. 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. But during his trial in the WA District Court, Judge Christopher Stevenson said the duo had played a "dangerous game of Russian Roulette" trying to incriminate each other, "the last refuge of a desperate man to avoid any criminal liability". Information between the agencies led to the commencement of two local operations targeting drug and money-laundering offences. He is due to appear in Cleveland Magistrates Court on Tuesday. Four men and a woman have been charged with drug trafficking after officers executed search warrants at their homes on Wednesday. Six people have been charged over a major methamphetamine importation and the biggest drug bust in New Zealand history. Coster thanked Customs for its exceptional profiling of shipments from high-risk countries. Senior leaders of the Comancheros and Rebels gangs have been arrested 'The FBI had the lead on this. A bankrupt and former nightclub bouncer from Bankstown well into his 30s, Santos had spent a few months before the bust flying passengers across the country in his Aztec in a bid to meet the minimum flying hours required to obtain a commercial pilot's licence. 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. Not so shipshape! They sat back and secretly intercepted millions of messages sent as unsuspecting associates openly stated their plans including plots to kill, importing drugs and identifying those who could help them with their criminal enterprises. 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. 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. They paid for the fuel and he built up his hours. Nearly 9kg of meth had also been seized at the border during the course of investigations linked to the joint operation. Five members face charges over a fatal bikie brawl at Sydney Airport last year. 12:38, May 02 2022. Comancheros trial: Dad told 'use your brain' after texting - RNZ 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". The Comancheros are participants in the United Motorcycle Council of NSW, which convened a conference in 2009 to address legislation aimed against the "bikie" clubs, their poor public image in the wake of several violent clashes and ongoing biker wars, and defusing deadly feuds such as the Comancheros' battles with the Hells Angels. Police have arrested 12 people, including senior members of the Comancheros and Rebels gangs, as part of an operation targeting the drug trade. 10:26 am on 9 June 2021. 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. Australian, US, and European authorities carried out raids across the world in June, with 4,000 cops in Australia arresting 224 accused organised crime figures and seizing tonnes of drugs, millions in cash, and other contraband and luxury goods. ANOM: Hundreds arrested in massive global crime sting using messaging 'These criminal influencers put the AFP in the back pocket of hundreds of alleged offenders,' Mr Kershaw said. Comanchero Motorcycle Club - Wikipedia Subscribe to 7NEWS Australia for the latest news video https://7news.link/YTSubscribeConnect with Seven News onlineVisit https://7news.com.au7NEWS Podcast http://smarturl.it/7NewsDailyFacebook https://www.facebook.com/7NewsAustraliaTwitter https://twitter.com/7NewsAustraliaInstagram https://www.instagram.com/7newsaustralia/ 7NEWS combines the trusted and powerful news brands including Sunrise, The Morning Show, The Latest, and 7NEWS.com.au, delivering unique, engaging and continuous coverage on the issues that matter most to Australians. If Stuff is a regular part of your day, please consider becoming a supporter. Police have arrested 10 people and seized over $1 million in cash and assets following a major operation targeting the supply and distribution of methamphetamine. Now who the 16 people identified are, what they're charged with, and where they live can be revealed. But they're not okay. We provided the technical capability to decrypt those messages,' he said. 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. Meth bust: Airport baggage handlers smuggle 250kg this year . WEST Australian police have arrested the WA president of the Comanchero bikie gang and three associates after seizing 5.2kg of methamphetamine in a joint operation with NSW police. "Joseph Micalizzi," he said, a large sports bag hanging from his shoulder. He is due to appear in Cleveland Magistrates Court on Tuesday. 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. 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. An Interpol red notice has also been for Ayik's arrest, who remains on the run from authorities. This is a long way from over.'. 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. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article. IF YOU VALUE YOUR PRIVACY & SAFETY'. He is due to appear in Cleveland Magistrates Court on January 20. This . Credit:Nine News. 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. '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. Mr Kershaw said detectives witnessed associates 'turning on each other' and doing business behind each other's backs. Police will allege bikie gangs bought a share of drug importations for more than $1 million alongside other criminal groups. Almost $4 million in assets was seized in the raids, including luxury cars and property. The company was apparently based in famously neutral Switzerland and boasted of 'military grade encrypt and sanitise'. Police are making. The Comancheros are regarded as one of the most violent motorcycle gangs in Australia. Supt Migro told reporters there was "a clear link between this drug shipment and the Comancheros", adding it was part of an organised crime trend that had been attracted to WA by its booming economy. He is due to appear in Southport Magistrates Court on November 22. 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. 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. Several of the people arrested are linked to the Comancheros gang. 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 'We're bearing down upon them. Along with three money laundering charges, the Comancheros president Pasilika Naufahu is charged with conspiring to commit two drug-related offences - one of conspiring to import a class A drug . Police have charged 224 alleged offenders with 525 charges, shut down six clandestine laboratories and acted on 21 threats to kill, including saving a family of five. Led by the FBI, and co-ordinated with the US Drug Enforcement Agency, Australian Federal Police, Europol and other law enforcement partners from more than a dozen countries, the covert operation involved investigators infiltrating encrypted devices used by transnational criminals. 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 . Senior investigators describe Ayik as the 'principal distributor of the AN0M handset.' www.heraldsun.cohttps://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/how-operation-ironsides-an0m-sting-put-a-hole-in-bikie-gangs/news-story/02b33f401ffff4ec7c87546646fcc5c9. We want to reduce the harm these gangs are causing in our communities, he said. 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. From Whyalla they travelled to Forrest, a popular refuelling stop more than 1100km east of Perth, near the South Australian border. Todays 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. 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. Drug bust at Ourimbah and Kulnura linked to exiled bikie Mark Buddle 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! Pictured: one man being arrested by AFP officers, A tradie is seen kneeling with his hands tied behind his back after being arrested following raids, A luxury Ducati motorcycle was among the hundreds of items seized by AFP officers during raids as part of Operation Ironside. Drug kingpin and Comancheros bikie associate Hakan Ayik has spent the last decade on the run from Australian . Operation Cincinnati: 12 gang members arrested in major drug bust UN states finally agree deal to protect high seas. "I did say this as this was the defence I was running," he wrote in a letter from Acacia Prison. 3 Dec, . The Cannon Hill man was charged with six offences including two counts of trafficking, one count of carrying a weapon in public and one count of supplying drugs. 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 asset recovery unit also restrained three properties, worth a total of $5.7m, meaning they cannot be sold. But the way journalism is funded is changing and we need your help to sustain local newsrooms. The huge drug bust was uncovered when detectives from the drug and firearms squad pulled over a rented Winnebago near Kellerberrin on April 16. Williams said the group had planned to import "huge quantities" of meth and cocaine into New Zealand on a mothership, which would be met by smaller craft at sea and the drugs ferried back to shore for distribution. "This is a very significant bust - 7.5kg of amphetamines over a couple of months.". bikies, and reality TV stars arrested and charged. Nationwide News Pty Ltd 2023. White is due to appear in Cleveland Magistrates Court on January 20, while his co-accused, also alleged members of the Comancheros gang, have been charged with varying other offences. Members of the Comancheros linked to the alleged conspiracy are among those arrested this week. A 32-year-old Wynnum man charged with eight offences including two counts of trafficking in dangerous drugs serious - organised crime, two counts of possessing property having been used in connection with the commission of a drug offence, and four counts of supplying dangerous drugs. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the AFP operation, known as Operation Ironside, had struck a 'heavy blow' against organised crime. 23:02 EST 13 Nov 2021. 'We allege they aremembers of outlaw motorcycle gangs,Australian Mafia, Asian crimesyndicates and serious and organisedcrime groups,' he told reporters on Tuesday. The police sting has 'significantly impacted' the Comancheros and their business model as alleged club figures Mark Buddle and alleged drug kingpin Hakan Ayik remain on the run from authorities overseas. Kong, who was also allegedly in possession of $2,030 cash and a revolver, was granted bail and will appear in court on June 28. But intelligence information gleaned from the police operation revealed the plan to investigators and police swooped. At least one major gang hit back at police yesterday - labelling the operation a smear campaign. Encrypted platforms were designed to prevent law enforcement agencies from monitoring such criminal activities. When will the Beast from the East be at YOUR door? "Someone told me there was a story behind it, and then I sort of had an idea that that was the one that I vaguely remembered.". 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