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. "This shipment never made it to New Zealand.". It was mostly unknown clients like the one bound for Jandakot who had booked the trips. Police have arrested 12 people, including senior members of the Comancheros and Rebels gangs, as part of an operation targeting the drug trade. The Aztec at a hangar at Jandakot Airpot. One of the operations - dubbed Operation Van - specifically targeted the transnational organised crime group linked to the Comancheros. 'I can't comment on what's happening overseas at the moment, but I think I could probably assure everyone that the AFP and its partners are definitely exploiting the Ironside information, and the networks that we've identified, and we're actively targeting some of these Comanchero members offshore,' Superintendent McArthur said. 23:02 EST 13 Nov 2021. 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. Some 21 execution plots were foiled and drug and gun smuggling networks dismantled. 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. Watch: Australian Police take down mafia, Comancheros in early morning raids and seize millions in cars, drugs and cash. Officers from Strike Force Garlow found $3 million worth of methylamphetamine at a dilapidated drug lab on a rural property in Kulnura and arrested 2 men aged 48 and 35 who were allegedly making the drug ice and dealing in the proceeds of crime.Police also seized methylamphetamine oil, more than 20kg of precursor chemicals, drug manufacturing equipment and $220,000 in cash.It's understood the drugs were being made under an agreement between the Nomads and Comancheros. "This is a very significant bust - 7.5kg of amphetamines over a couple of months.". He's pictured with wife Fleur Messelink on their wedding day, Hakan Ayik (pictured) has been on the run from Australian authorities since 2010. 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. Encrypted platforms were designed to prevent law enforcement agencies from monitoring such criminal activities. 'It is our intention that they are looking over their shoulder,' he said. Santos reckons airport workers tipped off the police during one of the fuel stops, when Micalizzi refused to leave the aircraft despite airport protocol. Senior bikies and mafia figures were tricked into buying hi-tech phones that would supposedly let them messages one another, free of police snooping. He is due to appear in Cleveland Magistrates Court on January 20.
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. Police have charged 224 alleged offenders with 525 charges, shut down six clandestine laboratories and acted on 21 threats to kill, Pictured: one man accused of participating in the syndicate sits on his bed after being raided by AFP officers, A luxury Audi sedan seized by the AFP as part of their joint investigation with the U.S. FBI, The bust exposed new details about how one of Australia's most wanted fugitives gave police extensive access to the world's criminal underworld. 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. Breaking news, sport, business and more. '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. Regular chances to win incredible prizes like luxury getaways and sports tickets with our subscriber exclusive competitions. Another nine were allegedly linked to the Rebels, eight to the Lone Wolf gang, and a handful linked to the Mongols, Finks, and Bandidos, News Corp reported. 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. An Interpol red notice has also been for Ayik's arrest, who remains on the run from authorities. SEE THE MAP Brayden Heslehurst and Marcel Baum But intelligence information gleaned from the police operation revealed the plan to investigators and police swooped. Police Commissioner Andrew Coster said Operation Trojan Shield would have an unprecedented impact on organised crime syndicates across the globe. Nationwide News Pty Ltd 2023. It was March 5, 2008. 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. Two shotguns and ammunition were also found. Former Bandito bikie Benjamin Joseph Thornton, 31, was arrested after police seized two mobile phones and a small quantity of cocaine. Several of the people arrested are linked to the Comancheros gang. 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. He is due to appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court on December 12. He is due to appear in Cleveland Magistrates Court on Tuesday. The group is accused of transporting drugs into Queensland via heavy vehicles for distribution across the states southeast and central region. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article. Members of the Rebels gang have been arrested after police searched 24 properties on Wednesday. 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. 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. Criminals needed to know a criminal to get a device. If Stuff is a regular part of your day, please consider becoming a supporter. The arrests and seizures were part of Operation Baystone, which began after 2.7kg of methamphetamine was found in the Perth suburb of Stirling in December last year. Police watched in real time as alleged crooks spilled their secrets to one another on their own app. 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 . The company was apparently based in famously neutral Switzerland and boasted of 'military grade encrypt and sanitise'. 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. 'And it isour intention that they are lookingover their shoulder, because our law enforcement agencies and thepartnerships we have around theworld are bearing down upon them,' he said. 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. '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. Gang expert - Canterbury University criminal justice director Jared Gilbert - said many organised criminals would be looking over their shoulders following the major police bust. Police commissioner Andrew Coster said some are also facing money laundering charges. It comes as there have been tonnes of drugs and hundreds of arrests overseas. IF YOU VALUE YOUR PRIVACY & SAFETY'. Five members face charges over a fatal bikie brawl at Sydney Airport last year. 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. Video / Mike Scott. 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. 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. Acting Detective Inspector John Brunton outlines a major police operation targeting MDMA distribution (Video first published on October 29, 2020). There's obviously a lot more work to do, there's still a lot offshore who we're looking at as well,' National Anti-Gangs Squad, Detective Superintendent Jason McArthur, said. 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. They were arrested in April 2019 during a major police bust. 'This comes from the number of significant arrests. 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. 'He's (Ayik) essentially leveraged his position of trust in the underworld to push this platform and that's what generated its success. Four men and a woman have been charged with drug trafficking after officers executed search warrants at their homes on Wednesday. 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". With his eyes glued to the yoke, dials and switches, Santos hadn't spotted the small army of uniformed officers. Pictured: one of hundreds of arrests, 'Wewill outsmart you. New Zealand investigators monitored thousands of messages made on 57 encrypted criminal devices. Operation Ironside, started in 2018 with a fake encrypted communication app developed in partnership with the FBI. 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. For years, it sat on the tarmac at a general airport 20 kilometres south of Perth. Find out more about our policy and your choices, including how to opt-out. We'rebearing down upon them. Get the news you want delivered to your inbox. "It takes years to build these networks. 'There will be people out there who think they're okay, because they weren't on the AN0M platform. Its bits and bobs are now scattered across his verandah and the tail and fuselage sit in a backyard in Perth's north, a dire reminder of the plane that once sat in the middle of Australia's own war on drugs and that changed law enforcement forever. The plane that spurred the downfall of one of Australia's largest drug syndicates was sold at auction in May. 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. 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. 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. Please try again later. Throughout the covert operation, detectives allegedly uncovered murder plots, gun distribution, and mass drug trafficking, with mafia bosses, bikies, and reality TV stars arrested and charged. 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'We allege they've beentrafficking illicit drugs intoAustralia at an industrial scale. 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!' "WA police," a robust voice said firmly from the other side of the metal. Wednesdays search warrants marked the second termination phase of Operation Cincinnati, which saw 26 people arrested and kilos of drugs, multiple firearms and more than $10 million in assets seized in October. Police seized almost $2m in drugs and property after raids on a Comancheros bikie gang drug trafficking syndicate. "We are an area that is very rich at present - a great area for organised crime to come and focus on," Supt Migro said. Twelve people, aged between 20 and 42, will appear in the Auckland District Court in the coming days on various drug related charges. 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. The twin-engine plane, which miraculously survived a cyclone in Darwin in 1974, had been used to operate a freight charter service in Central Queensland and sight-seeing tours over the Great Barrier Reef until 1990. 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. Watch and listen to a variety of WA true crime series, video channels and podcasts with commentary on news, politics and current affairs. "Turn the engine off and get out of the aircraft.". 'I have amessage for the criminals targetingAustralia and Australia's interests- the AFP will be relentless,' Mr Kershaw said. 'It's just pure revenue, it's a bit like selling Amway for him. Police are making good progress dismantling his alleged empire of organised crime. 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. 12:38, May 02 2022. Find out more about our policy and your choices, including how to opt-out. It was the biggest drug bust in WA history and a day law enforcement officers would remember for years to come. "It's a great day for New Zealand," Williams told the Herald. Several of the people arrested are linked to the Comancheros gang. 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. 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". Drug kingpin and Comancheros bikie associate Hakan Ayik has spent the last decade on the run from Australian . It reiterated the importance of transnational law enforcement partnerships "to dismantle organised crime groups and the enormous harm they cause to our communities". But they're not okay. The hardest hit gang were theComancheros with 76 arrests - three quarters of the alleged criminals rounded up from AN0M intercepts. More than 3,000 pounds of methamphetamine and 66 kilograms of cocaine were found in a massive drug bust in Norco last month, making it the largest seizure of meth for the DEA's Los Angeles Division. The arrests include three sergeants-at-arms, a club president, and other office bearers. 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. The incredible scheme - which is said to have been cooked up by an Australian Federal Police officer over beers with his mates from the FBI - has also resulted in hundreds of arrests overseas and uncovered 21 murder plots. Dozens of people have been arrested after a police massive operation targeting alleged drug supply by outlaw bikie gangs. GitHub export from English Wikipedia. "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.". He is due to appear in Cleveland Magistrates Court on January 20. 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 . 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. The arrests were made after 24 properties were. This is along way from over.'. Pictured: items seized by the AFP, More arrests are expected domestically and offshore under a coordinated global response connected to Operation Ironside. A police investigation into the bust later uncovered more than 100 messages and calls between Micalizzi and two syndicate figures named 'Oz' and 'Bowa', a fake NSW driver's licence, three mobile numbers registered under false names and $9000 in cash. We provided the technical capability to decrypt those messages,' he said. 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. The app was accessed by entering a PIN number into the phone's calculator, the stuff of spy dramas. 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. 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. Take care of your gut and it will take care of you: Could these 'friendly' bacteria transform your gut Netflix subscribers can access hidden upgrade to their favourite shows - here's how to check if you are www.dhttps://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/national/how-australian-drug-kingpin-hakan-ayik-gave-an0m-to-the-criminal-world-and-took-down-his-pals/news-story/cc7999b22dfdc6f16bfd620720d81e33ailytelegra Do not sell or share my personal information. 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. 'Andthese figures are likely to increaseover the coming days. Not so shipshape! AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw said the alleged syndicate included 'someof the most dangerous criminals toAustralia'. bikies, and reality TV stars arrested and charged. "We believe the termination of these operations will have a significant impact on New Zealand's organised crime scene.". The arrests and seizures were part of Operation Baystone, which began after 2.7kg of methamphetamine was found in the Perth suburb of Stirling in December last year. Video / AFP It is being credited with catching underworld figures, mafia. 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. But its best feature - and for most of its users, the worst - wasn't promoted in its marketing material. 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. 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.