The Australian Federal Police on Tuesday revealed a breathtaking three-year tech ploy which led to 4,000 police executing 525 search warrants. The shipment of 613 kilograms of methamphetamine was intercepted by police and Customs at Auckland Airport on Thursday. It comes as there have been tonnes of drugs and hundreds of arrests overseas. 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's like having The Rock (Dwayne Johnson) sponsoring your gym. It wasnt an unusual occurrence. Faulkhead was arrested with five other men in January 2014 after large-scale drug raids in the Mildura region. Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Mooney said large quantities of cocaine, methylamphetamine, heroin and cannabis were uncovered during the arrests. Police are making good progress dismantling his alleged empire of organised crime. It involved three major organised crime investigations here targeting the importation, sale and supply of class-A drugs, as well as money-laundering activities. Meth bust: Airport baggage handlers smuggle 250kg this year . "Joseph Micalizzi," he said, a large sports bag hanging from his shoulder. "We believe the termination of these operations will have a significant impact on New Zealand's organised crime scene.". 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 plane that spurred the downfall of one of Australia's largest drug syndicates was sold at auction in May. China increases military spending in face of escalating threats. 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 . Further charges against more people have not been ruled out. A 46-year-old Mango Hill man charged with nine offences including two counts of trafficking in dangerous drugs - serious organised crime, two counts of supplying dangerous drugs and weapon offences. , started in 2018 with a fake encrypted communication app developed in partnership with the FBI. Please try again later. It was March 5, 2008. A 33-year-old Tarragindi man charged with 25 offences including three counts of trafficking in dangerous drugs - serious organised crime, eight counts of supplying dangerous drugs and weapon offences. The alleged offenders are linked to the Australian-based Italian mafia - known as the Ndrangheta - as well as outlaw motorcycle gangs, Asian crime syndicates and Albanian organised crime figures. More charges are expected to be laid as Australian Federal Police work their way through the 25 million messages intercepted by the encrypted app. Nationwide News Pty Ltd 2023. 10:26 am on 9 June 2021. 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. The huge drug bust was uncovered when detectives from the drug and firearms squad pulled over a rented Winnebago near Kellerberrin on April 16. "The jury didn't buy it, I was found guilty at trial and got 15 years. 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. 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. 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. 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". His good name goes behind it, he gets some fees, there's a cut from the selling of the handsets.'. The bust exposed new details about how one of Australia's most wanted fugitives gave police extensive access to the world's criminal underworld. But after the deal fell through, Mr Pavlinovic, who buys and sells everything from jet engines to power tools, dismantled the plane to sell it for parts to the highest bidder. New Zealand investigators monitored thousands of messages made on 57 encrypted criminal devices. 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. 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. '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. 7NEWS can reveal the bust is linked to exiled bikie Mark Buddle of the Comancheros. But intelligence information gleaned from the police operation revealed the plan to investigators and police swooped. He is due to appear in Cleveland Magistrates Court on January 20. 22:54 EST 13 Nov 2021 The Turkish-Australian holds dual citizenship, and despite being included in the NSW police most wanted persons list and having an Interpol arrest warrant against his name, Turkey does not extradite its citizens. 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. West Australian Newspapers Limited 2023. In 2018, as part of Operation Nova, police detectives from the National Organised Crime Group covertly filmed a drug deal involving the Comancheros motorcycle gang. But until now, its role in one of the biggest law enforcement operations in Australian history has remained a mystery. The 5-year hunt for Comancheros gang boss. (Supplied) "There will be a lot of organised criminals looking at how they're communicating over devices and wondering if they're next.". 'We allege they aremembers of outlaw motorcycle gangs,Australian Mafia, Asian crimesyndicates and serious and organisedcrime groups,' he told reporters on Tuesday. Other eastern states-based bikie gangs the Finks and Rock Machine (formerly the Nomads) have established themselves in WA in the past 18 months. Mr Kershaw said detectives have arrested thealleged 'King makers' behind the alleged crimes, prevented mass shootings insuburbs and 'frustrated serious and organised crime by seizing theirill-gotten wealth'. 'The FBI had the lead on this. "We've got the president - there was actually a structure in place - there are a number of other people that we are waiting to see when and if they will be patched, and that was going to happen (this) weekend," WA Serious and Organised Crime Division Superintendent Jim Migro told reporters on Friday. "We have got a lot of people with large sums of money, very disposable income - great targets for organised crime - and that's why organised crime from all groups are starting to look at and concentrate on WA. 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. 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. The near year-long operation came to a climax on Sunday and Monday when detectives swarmed on multiple properties across Broadbeach Waters, Gaven, Tamborine, Rochdale, Steiglitz, Cleveland, Holland Park, Capalaba, Caboolture, Mount Nathan and Rockhampton. 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. Only five per cent of encrypted messages sent by criminals in Australia use the Anom platform - but Mr Morrison said suspects will now be living in fear ahead of further sting operations. He had done the trip a handful of times before. 'There will be people out there who think they're okay, because they weren't on the AN0M platform. We provided the technical capability to decrypt those messages,' he said. Watch and listen to a variety of WA true crime series, video channels and podcasts with commentary on news, politics and current affairs. However, it seems few alleged criminals in the sights of law enforcement did a cursory Google search into the 'encrypted' phone and app platform. Revealed: The top 10 fastest-growing destinations for UK pensioners retiring overseas. Huge AFP bust has seen 4,000 cops storm Australia's underworld overnight . The #1 Biker News Website Since 2011-Covering up to minute biker news including Outlaw Motorcycle Clubs & Biker News Worldwide. Police have arrested 12 more people today as part of Operation Cincinnati and located drugs, some of which was ready for sale, and a shotgun after executing 24 search warrants. 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. ", Witnesses sought following assault, Hastings"Police are seeking witnesses to an assault, International police operation: How the gangs were brought to their knees - NZ Herald. Members of the Rebels gang have been arrested after police searched 24 properties on Wednesday. Desperate drivers are taking to social media to buy and sell demerit points, risking eye-wateringly expensive fines in the process. The next few months after the bust, investigators from the Australian Crime Commission infiltrated international money-laundering streams and exposed Ayik's drug empire. 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 in a statement. Find out more about our policy and your choices, including how to opt-out. "WA police," a robust voice said firmly from the other side of the metal. 'He's (Ayik) essentially leveraged his position of trust in the underworld to push this platform and that's what generated its success. 'These criminal influencers put the AFP in the back pocket of hundreds of alleged offenders,' Mr Kershaw said. We want to reduce the harm these gangs are causing in our communities, he said. The Comancheros are regarded as one of the most violent motorcycle gangs in Australia. Organised crime evolving 'rapidly' in NZ as borders become 'porous' to illicit trade - NZ Heral Gangs and guns: Police unveil operation targeting firearms and organised crime - NZ Herald. Bi was released on $400,000 bail to reappear on March 26. Be part of our story, and help us tell yours. 'This comes from the number of significant arrests. 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 A luxury Ducati motorcycle, Audi sedan, Rolex watches, ammunition, bullet-proof vests, firearms and even memorabilia from the 1972 cult classic The Godfather was seized from a number of properties. 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. The arrests were made after 24 properties were searched on Wednesday 21 throughout the wider Auckland area, and three in Christchurch. 'Illicit drug use ruins lives and fuels organised crime.'. Details of the failed drug trafficking plan emerged following the termination of Operation Trojan Shield - described as the "sting of the century" and a huge blow to New Zealand's criminal fraternity. 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, Hakan Ayik (pictured) was tricked into distributing messages to criminal associates, Hakan Ayik has spent the last decade living a lavish lifestyle in Turkey. So that was pretty brazen to see that they were actually disloyal to their own groups,' he said. 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. China increases military spending in face of 'escalating' threats, Treaty ahoy! Twelve people have been arrested, including senior leaders of the Comancheros and Rebels gangs, after a major drug bust operation on Wednesday. Comancheros: Major Queensland bikie bust nets 42 arrests, $2m in drugs and property Dozens of people have been arrested after a police massive operation targeting alleged drug supply by outlaw bikie gangs. 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". 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. Police seized huge cash and drug stashes, and alleged bikies now owe other dangerous crime figures significant amounts of money. He is due to appear in Cleveland Magistrates Court on January 20. Williams said $3.7m in assets had been seized, along with 20 ounces of methamphetamine, large bags of cannabis, multiple kilograms of iodine, four firearms, 14 vehicles, including two marine vessels, mobile phones and more than $1m in cash. Ayik, then in his early 30s, had made a fortune by forging alliances with Chinese triads, Indian chemical suppliers, the Comancheros outlaw motorcycle gang and known underworld figures to create a multi-billion dollar international drug syndicate spanning across continents. Police and Customs managed to intercept more than 600kg of methamphetamine at Auckland Airport. The phones were stripped down - they couldn't even make calls, access the internet or send emails. One man has also been charged with conspiring to import methamphetamine between January and March. 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. Inside the vehicle was a man and a woman and allegedly more than 30kg of deadly methylamphetamine. 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. 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". "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.". It is estimated the drugs would have caused over $500 million worth of social harm, as per drug harm index figures, Coster added. Police said they were both running drug distribution networks in their cities. 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. 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. Gang expert - Canterbury University criminal justice director Jared Gilbert - said many organised criminals would be looking over their shoulders following the major police bust. Remote landing strips were and still are a hole in Australia's national security network, too isolated and remote to be monitored effectively. The 1970s Aztec Piper no longer sits at Jandakot Airport. Credit:Nine News. 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. 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. Were sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. Personal trainer, 22, describes what working in the fitness industry is like when you're curvy - and why Jon Jones vs Ciryl Gane - UFC 285 LIVE: Follow all the action from main card ahead of HUGE heavyweight PETER HITCHENS: Now we know for sure that our leaders lost their heads over Covid. New details about a massive WA drug bust which led to the arrest of former Comanchero bikie Mohammed Oueida can be revealed for the first time. Had this shipment been distributed across New Zealand it would have caused immense harm to the vulnerable communities these criminal groups were preying upon.. Officers search the black sports bag containing nearly $8 million worth of drugs stored in the cargo hold. The successful culmination of the investigations this week had caused significant disruption to organised criminal syndicates both here and overseas. 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. Mr Kershaw said detectives witnessed associates 'turning on each other' and doing business behind each other's backs. 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. Several of the people arrested are linked to the Comancheros gang. As officers searched the black sports bag, they uncovered nearly $8 million worth of drugs. Where 16 people charged and identified as part of Operation Tango Citron live An alleged drug syndicate believed to have links to a notorious bikie gang was dismantled by police in a massive drug bust. "This shipment never made it to New Zealand.". Ayik, 42, is said to have unwittingly given police direct access to the criminal underworld by encouraging his colleagues to use the app. Police and Customs managed to intercept more than 600kg of methamphetamine at Auckland Airport. Police Commissioner Andrew Coster said Operation Trojan Shield would have an unprecedented impact on organised crime syndicates across the globe. It is estimated the meth could have caused more than $500 million worth of social harm if sold into the community. Watch: Australian Police take down mafia, Comancheros in early morning raids and seize millions in cars, drugs and cash. A man shot dead during the horrific Wieambilla terror attack has been posthumously bestowed the highest honour. An anonymous blogger known only as 'canyouguess67' posted an article warning users to keep off ANOM for their 'own safety', Daily Mail Australia can reveal. More arrests are expected domestically and offshore under a coordinated global response connected to Operation Ironside. "The users believed their Anom devices were protected from law enforcement by the shield of impenetrable encryption.". 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. 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. BBC's 1million star Zoe Ball, 52, lands big new payday for Abba show on ITV. Micalizzi, who sat down at the back of the six seater, slept most of the time, Santos says, and spoke to him only to ask when they would arrive. Now who the 16 people identified are, what they're charged with, and where they live can be revealed. More than 800 suspected criminals have been arrested worldwide after being tricked into using an FBI-run encrypted messaging app, officials say. 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. Further enquiries into the intercepted meth over the last few days saw several search warrants being carried out across south Auckland on Tuesday evening, resulting in the arrest of six people aged between 27 and 36. But the Daily Mail can reveal the entire elaborate sting was placed in jeopardy in late March, when an anonymous blogger sounded the alarm, labelling the platform a 'scam' which rerouted peoples' data through to the United States. 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. 'Enforce your right to privacy': This is how the ANoM website advertised its product - with users not realising that law enforcement officials could read each and every message. 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. www.heraldsun.cohttps://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/how-operation-ironsides-an0m-sting-put-a-hole-in-bikie-gangs/news-story/02b33f401ffff4ec7c87546646fcc5c9. "Ah, we have an issue here," Detective Morrish said as he peeked inside the bag. 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. Several of the people arrested are linked to the Comancheros gang. Crooks could buy a six month subscription to use the app - the funds raised unknowingly redirected to the police. "It's a great day for New Zealand," Williams told the Herald. Police are gearing up to arrest a 'significant number' of people in the coming months. It was a sweet deal for somebody living off the generosity of friends and family. 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. 23:02 EST 13 Nov 2021. Comancheros in WA: New details emerge about drug bust which led to arrest of former member Mohammed Oueida. With his eyes glued to the yoke, dials and switches, Santos hadn't spotted the small army of uniformed officers. Phil Hickey The West Australian. Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group. Police said the nine-month investigation, run by the National Organised Crime Group, targeted a core group that are alleged to be involved in the importation, distribution and manufacture of methamphetamine and MDMA, and other drugs in the two cities. "This is a very significant bust - 7.5kg of amphetamines over a couple of months.". They claim to have disrupted those planned importations. Dozens of people have been arrested after a police massive operation targeting alleged drug supply by outlaw bikie gangs. More than a decade later after the sting, drugs continue to slip across Australia's borders from overseas, as the nation's drug users consume more than four tonnes of cocaine every year. 'It's just pure revenue, it's a bit like selling Amway for him. Through the covert operation, detectives allegedly uncovered 21 murder plots, gun distribution and mass drug trafficking, withmafia bosses,bikies, and reality TV stars arrested and charged. 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.