Operation Ironside: Full list of Australians charged
Operation Ironside was the sting of the century, with the AFP and the FBI slapping more than 120 Australians with charges. Here’s who they are.
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It was the police sting of the century. A trojan horse app developed and monitored by the FBI and Australian Federal Police that tricked users into believing it was a secure, encrypted device. More than 25 million messages were intercepted in real time over the past three years, culminating in Operation Ironside and the biggest police operation in Australia’s law enforcement history. To date, more than 100 Australians across the country have been charged, with the FBI filing racketeering charges against 17 people, including six Australians.
Below is the list of people charged as result of Operation Ironside.
SA ARRESTS
JASON APPELHOF
Aged 38 from Whyalla Stuart. Charged with trafficking in a controlled drug and money laundering.
ETHRAM RONALD HUGHES
Aged 24 from Mawson Lakes. Charged with participating in a criminal organisation and conspiracy to murder between February 26, 2020 and May 28, 2021 at Rosslyn Park.
PETER JOHN MCMILLAN
Aged 27 from Rosewater. Charged with participating in a criminal organisation and conspiracy to murder between February 26, 2020 and May 28, 2021 at Rosslyn Park.
APOSTLE BROIKOS
Aged 18 from Burnside. Charged with trafficking in a large commercial quantity of a controlled drug.
WAYNE THOMAS SPINKS
Aged 36 from Uleybury. Charged with money laundering.
DURIM KRASNIQI
Aged 32 from Brompton. Charged with two counts of trafficking in a large commercial quantity of a controlled drug.
CHRISTO NICKOLAS
Aged 32 from Ascot Park. Charged with two counts of money laundering.
DALIBOR DRAZETIC
Aged 47 from Wayville. Charged with trafficking in a large commercial quantity of a controlled drug.
ROMAN ILARIO BAFTIROSKI
Aged 34 from Seaton. Charged with trafficking in a large commercial quantity of a controlled drug and money laundering.
BENJAMIN STOKES
Aged 49 from Seaton. Charged with trafficking in a large commercial quantity of a drug in several Adelaide suburbs.
NATHAN RALPH
Aged 26 from Sheidow Park. Charged with trafficking in a large commercial quantity of a drug in several Adelaide suburbs.
SHIVAKUMAR NAGARAJ
Aged 35 from Nailsworth. Charged with trafficking in a commercial quantity of a controlled drug.
STUART FARQUHAR
Aged 30 from Mount Barker. Charged with trafficking in a large commercial quantity of a controlled drug.
FRANCESCO ROMEO
Aged 49 from Ingle Farm. Charged with trafficking in a large commercial quantity of a controlled drug.
STAMATI TOULANTAS
Aged 24 from Park Holme. Charged with trafficking in a controlled drug, possess prescription drug and possess prohibited weapon.
FRANCESCO NIRTA
Aged 51 from Hawthorn. Traffic in a commercial quantity of a controlled drug.
TIMOTHY JOHN NOBLE
Aged 42 from Aberfoyle Park. Charged with money laundering, cultivating a controlled plant and possessing prescribed equipment.
JOSHUA MARK RICHTER
Aged 29 from Craigmore. Charged with selling a controlled drug and money laundering.
TIMOTHY BARKLA
Aged 46 from Willaston. Charged with trafficking and manufacturing a controlled drug.
ROCCO PORTOLESI
Aged 40 from Henley Beach.
SILVIO MOLINARA
Aged 54 from Stirling. Charged with possessing a commercial quantity of a controlled drug.
ALICIA BARTLEY
Aged 37 from Angle Park. Charged with two counts of trafficking in a controlled drug and money laundering.
DARREN BAXTER
Aged 39 from Angle Park. Charged with two counts of trafficking in a controlled drug and money laundering.
MATTHEW CULLEN
Aged 29 from Christie Downs. Charged with money laundering and possessing a prescription drug, controlled drug and a dangerous article.
ALESSANDRO FRANCO
Aged 37 from Underdale. Charged with unlawful possession and possessing prescribed equipments.
TYLER HERNANDEZ BROOK
Aged 29 from Hackham. Charged with cultivating a commercial quantity of a controlled drug, possessing prescribed equipment and diverting electricity.
CARLY JADE WILLIAMS
Aged 27 from Marion. Charged with trafficking in a controlled drug.
QLD ARRESTS
SIONE HAVEA MAHONRI AFU
Aged 31 charged at Richlands. Charged with attempt to commit offence possessing dangerous drugs schedule 1 drug quantity of or exceeding schedule 4, possess utensils or pipes etc that had been used
MITCHELL DAVID ARNOLD
Aged 33 and charged at Dunwich. Charged with posses anything for use in the commission of crime x 2, producing dangerous drugs (serious organised crime), possess property suspected of having been acquired for purpose of committing drug offence x 2
JOEL PATRICK FRANK
Aged 38 and charged at Dunwich. Charged with unlawfully posses relevant substance or thing, possessing dangerous drugs schedule 1 ex schedule 3 but less 4
CODY LEE NDEBELE
Aged 28 and charged at Ipswich. Charged with possessing a dangerous drug and unlawfully possessing a relevant substance or thing
AWAIS IBAD ALI
Aged 33 and charged at Woolloongabba. Charged with trafficking a dangerous drug and attempt to possess dangerous drug
JESSE DORE
Aged 36 and charged at Mt Mee. Charged with possess dangerous drugs x 3, produce dangerous drugs, 2 x possess anything used in the commission of a crime, unlawful possess a relevant substance or thing, possession of property suspected of being the proceeds of offence, possess utensils, 2 x unlawful possession of weapons and possess shortened firearm, authority required to possess explosives.
BENJAMIN JOSEPH THORNTON
Aged 31 and charged at Coorparoo. Charged with trafficking in dangerous drugs, possess dangerous drugs, possessing anything used in the commission of a crime, Possession of property suspected of being the proceeds of an offence under Drugs Misuse Act, obtaining or dealing with identification information x 6, possessing equipment for purpose of committing/facilitating the commission of an offence and posses restricted drug.
JOSHUA JAMES BAKER
Aged 33 and charged at Ormeau. Charged with trafficking in dangerous drugs, producing dangerous drugs schedule 2, possessing dangerous drugs schedule 2, possessing anything used in the commission of a crime defined in part 2, unlawful supply of weapons, possessing anything used in the commission of a crime definition part 2, possessing dangerous drugs, possessing property suspected in having being used in connection with the commission of a drug offence
CHRISTOPHER JOHN SPURLING
Aged 33 and charged at Wilston. Charged with trafficking in dangerous drugs (serious organised crime), unlawful trafficking in weapons and possessing anything used in the commission of a crime.
CODY JOHN ALBERT KIRBY
Aged 33 and charged at Forest Lake. Charged with trafficking in dangerous drugs (serious organised crime), producing dangerous drugs, possessing dangerous drugs schedule 2 quantity of or exceeding schedule 3, possession of property suspected of being the proceeds of an offence under drug misuse act, possess utensils, authority for controlled drugs and two counts of possessing dangerous drugs.
RICHARD HUYNH
Aged 36 and charged at Brisbane, CBD. Charged with possessing schedule one drugs, two counts each of possessing dangerous drugs, contravening order about information necessary to access information stored electronically and possess anything for use in the commission of crime. He is also charged with tainted property.
SHINAE JULIE MARTIN
Aged 20 and charged at Brisbane, CBD. Charges undisclosed.
MAJOK CHOL
Aged 23 and charged at Woodridge. Charges undisclosed.
ALEXIS HINTON
Aged 33 and charged at Woodridge. Charges undisclosed.
SENAD CATIC
Agd 34 and charged at Burbank. Charged with producing dangerous drugs (serious organised crimes) and possess anything used in the commission of a crime.
SOPIEA KONG
Aged 33 and charged at Kangaroo Point. Charged with drug trafficking, possession of dangerous drugs, unlawful possession of weapons, contravening an order about information necessary to access information stored electronically, obtaining or dealing with identification information x 4, possession of property suspected of being the proceeds of an offence under Drugs Misuse Act, possess property suspected of having been used in connection with the commission of a drug offence and possess property suspected of having been acquired for the purpose of committing a drug offence.
JOHNATHAN JAMES CASIOTIS
Aged 34 and charged at Moorooka. Charged with possessing anything for use in the commission of crime, producing dangerous drugs (serious organised crime), possess dangerous drugs, possess utensils, contravene order about information necessary to access information stored electronically and possess property suspect of having been used in connection with commission of a drug offence.
BENJAMIN JAMES HAYLOCK
Aged 41 and charged at Mermain Waters. Charged with trafficking in dangerous drugs (serious organised crime), unlawful trafficking in weapons, possessing property suspected of being the proceeds of a drug offence, possessing dangerous drugs and contravening an order necessary to access information stored electronically.
JONSON HARRY ROWE
Aged 29 and charged at Benowa. Charged with failure to provide information or assistance in accordance with an order
LACHLIN JAMES MCGAHEY
Aged 27 and charged at Reedy Creek. Charges undisclosed.
NOAH SMITH-WILLIAMS
Aged 28 and charged at Reedy Creek. Charges undisclosed.
CASEY MARK SMALES
Aged 24 and charged at Reedy Creek. Charges undisclosed.
SAM CLARKE
Aged 29 and charged at The Gap. Charged with possess dangerous drugs
ALEX TOWNSEND
Aged 29 and charged at The Gap. Charged with possess dangerous drugs, possess/ acquire restricted items, possess utensils or pipes etc that had been used, unlawful possession of weapons category A, B or M,
REECE THOMAS PUNTER
Aged 31 and charged at Mt Mee. Charges undisclosed.
SHANE MEEUWSSEN
Aged 29 and charged at Palm Beach. Charges undisclosed.
ERNESTO ANTONIO SILVA
Aged 33. Location undisclosed. Charged with possessing dangerous drugs x 2, possess utensils, possessing anything for use in the commission of a crime, possession of property suspected of being the proceeds of crime under Drug Misuses Act, trafficking in dangerous drugs.
DUC THANG TRUONG
Aged 35. Charged at Mount Gravatt. Charged with possess dangerous drugs.
GRAHAM WILLIAM ROWE
Aged 39. Charged at Goodna. Charges undisclosed.
VIC ARRESTS
Six men charged over an alleged plot to import $1 billion worth of ice and cocaine into Australia from India and the US. They include:
JOE SCORDO
Aged 51, the operator of a Sunshine West auto yard
MARK JOANNOU
Aged 41, of Sydenham
DANNY NAYNEH
from Werribee
OMAR DIB
a kick boxer also from Werribee
ROBIN REFFO
a tradie from Werribee
SEBASTIAN BEZBORODOFF
One of the six men charged with conspiracy to import a large commercial quantity of border-controlled drugs.
ADAM CURRIE
Aged 47 of Strathffieldsaye arrested by Victoria Police Drug Taskforce detectives on April 27 after a raid on his Taylors Lane home outside of Bendigo. Police seized a pill press and drugs with a street value of more than $3.7 million.
CHRISTIAN TAUMEFOLAU
Aged 31. The Comanchero sergeant-at-arms was the highest profile Victorian scalp for the Australian Federal Police’s Operation Ironside. Arrested at Thornhill Park, a new estate near Melton in Melbourne’s outer north west. Video footage was released by police from that location. His arrest because of his seniority in the group was expected to significantly disrupt the Comanchero operation. He was charged with two counts of trafficking a large commercial quantity of a drug of dependence.
EREN KAYA
Aged 28. The high-ranking Comanchero member was arrested in Thomastown and charged with possessing a trafficable quantity of firearms.
TALHA ARSLAN
Aged 23 from Greenvale. Charged with four counts of dealing with the proceeds of crime.
GEORGE AFEAKI
Aged 26 from Tottenham. Charged with trafficking a large commercial quantity of a drug of dependence, trafficking a drug of dependence and handling stolen goods.
FALGOFIE TUFUGA
Aged 24 from Mickleham. Charged with trafficking a large commercial quantity of a drug of dependence.
PATRICK O’KELLY
Aged 31 from Narre Warren. Charged with trafficking a large commercial quantity of a drug of dependence.
JOSHUA BRENNAN
Aged 30 from Cranbourne West. Charged with trafficking a large commercial quantity of a drug of dependence, trafficking a drug of dependence, three counts of possessing the proceeds of crime, and drug possession.
LUKE JOLLY-BISHOP
The 27-year-old Hampton Park man was charged with trafficking a large commercial quantity of a drug of dependence, three counts of trafficking drug of dependence, and possession of proceeds of crime.
CHIHAT YILMAZ
Aged 24 from Meadow Heights. Charged with trafficking a drug of dependence, possession of a drug of dependence and possessing the proceeds of crime.
SONER AKKUS
Aged 30-year-old from Dallas. Charged with trafficking a large commercial quantity of a drug of dependence.
GEORGE KAMVISSIS
Aged 30-year-old from Niddrie. Charged with two counts of trafficking a large commercial quantity of a drug of dependence.
OTHERS CHARGED INCLUDE:
Aged 24 from Craigieburn. Charged with trafficking a large commercial quantity of a drug of dependence.
Aged 19 from Sunshine North. Charged with possession a drug of dependence and theft of a motor vehicle.
A Templestowe Lower man was charged with trafficking a large commercial quantity of a drug of dependence, trafficking a drug of dependence, three counts of possessing a drug of dependence and two counts of possessing proceeds of crime.
Aged 30 from Buninyong. Charged with trafficking a large commercial quantity of a drug of dependence
STEVE TIBURCY
Aged 43 from Gisborne. Charged with trafficking a large commercial quantity of a drug of dependence, possessing ammunition, and possessing a controlled weapon.
MUHAMMED TOPAL
Aged 25. Charged by Victoria Police’s anti-bikie Echo Task Force with offences including dealing with the proceeds of crime and trafficking large commercial quantities of drugs.
EMILJAN HAMATAJ
Aged 39, from suburban Glen Waverley, Charged with money-laundering and cultivating cannabis.
NSW ARRESTS
JULIAN LEE
Aged 41-year-old Bondi fitness instructor, was charged in relation to an alleged plot to smuggle $64 million worth of cocaine into Australia hidden under a ship’s hull. The drugs were seized by Belgium police and customs officials.
BRIAN ANTHONY BLACKMAN
Aged 51 from Maroubra. Charged with import commercial quantity of cocaine, proceeds of crime, conspiracy to import cocaine, and associate in support of serious organised criminal activity. Refused bail by Waverley Local Court.
HAKAN CALASON
Aged 37 from Carlton. Charged with conspiracy to import marketable quantity of cocaine. Bail refused by Sutherland Local Court.
MICHAEL CLARK
Aged 35 from Kingston, ACT. Charged with supply indictable quantity of a prohibited drug, two counts of conspiracy to supply a prohibited firearm, participation in a criminal group and detention application.
LUKE ANDREOU
Aged 31 from Horsley Park. Charged with money-laundering offences, and possessing drugs and firearms. Refused bail in Wollongong Court on June 10.
WILLIAM CLIFT
Aged 36 from Redfern. Charged with being an accessory before the fact supply prohibited drug (commercial quantity), accessory before the fact supply prohibited drug (large commercial quantity), accessory before the fact (possess commercial quantity unlawful import (border controlled drug), dishonestly obtain property by deception and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity. Remanded in custody at Newtown Local Court.
TISHAN DAVID
Aged 36 from East Hills. Charged with importing commercial quantity drugs. Refused bail by Bankstown Court.
AYHAN BILAL DOGAN
Aged 23 from Brighton-Le-Sands. Charged with supplying a large commercial quantity of a prohibited drug and importing a marketable quantity of a border controlled drug. Bail refused by Central Local Court.
JOHN ALLAN FILIPAINA
Aged 27. Charged with possessing unlawfully imported meth. Refused bail by Hornsby Local Court.
JOHN WILLIAM FILIPE
Aged 39 from Bardia. Charged with importing commercial quantity of a drug and direct activities of a criminal group. Refused bail by Liverpool Local Court.
JARROD PATRICK GALLAGHER
Aged 40 from Randwick. Charged with dealing with proceeds of crime more than $1 million. Direct activities to aid a criminal enterprise, import commercial quantity of cocaine. Refused bail by Waverley Local Court.
ERIC MARTIN GRUNNET
Aged 51, from Darling Point. Charged with importing commercial quantity of drugs. Refused bail by Central Local Court.
FRANK MEREDITH
Aged 31. An employee of the Emirates-owned Dubai National Air Travel Agency (DNATA), charged with importing a border controlled drug.
SIBEL ERGUN
Aged 35. Charged with money laundering and dealing with property suspected of being proceeds of crime.
YUSUF AYIK
Aged 20 from Brighton-Le-Sands. Police allege that Ayik was involved in the supply of 1192g of methamphetamine on May 14 this year and he has been charged with supplying a large commercial quantity of drugs. Bail refused by Waverley Local Court on June 10.
ARRON HYDE
Aged 39 from Eudlo, Queensland. Charged with supply drug large commercial quantity. Released on bail by Tweed Heads Local Court.
MIN JUNG
Aged 47 from Glebe. Charged with participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, dealing with the and conspire commit offence under Division 2 and possess prohibited drug. Refused bail by Newtown Local Court.
BANDU CRISPIN KWABO
Aged 23. Charged with Import commercial quantity drugs and possess commercial quantity of drugs. Refused bail by Newcastle Local Court.
EDWARD GEORGE “ETU” LAVULO
Aged 32 from Marsden Park. Charged with dealing with the proceeds of crime after police took possession of the two sports bags – and another $500,000 allegedly found in a suitcase in a vehicle. Also import commercial quantity or border controlled drug. Granted bail by Wollongong Local Court.
JUDAH EARL LAVULO
Aged 30 from Edmondson Park. Charged with proceeds of crime less than $100,000. Released on bail by Parramatta Local Court.
MUHAMMAD MAQSOODI
Aged 29 from Guildford. Charged with money laundering and proceeds of crime. Released on bail by Fairfield Local Court. Michael Thomas MateAged 32 from Ropes Crossing. Charged with money laundering and import commercial quantity of drugs. Refused bail by Mt Druitt Local Court.
CHRISTOPHER JOHN MEALEY
Aged 51. Charged with dealing with proceeds of crime.
SAMUEL MINKIN
Aged 28. Charged with supply large commercial drug supply. Refused bail by Tweed Heads Court.
MOHENOA OKUSITINO
Aged 37 from North Gosford. Charged with importing commercial quantity border controlled drug. Refused bail by Gosford Local Court.
HOULDARATH OUCH
Aged 36 from Denham Court. Charged with 10 offences including supply prohibited drug. Granted bail by Campbelltown Local Court.
BRADLEY COLIN PETERS
Aged 37 from Middleton Grange. Charged with 11 offences including possess unauthorised firearm, supply large commercial quantity of drugs. Refused by Liverpool Local Court.
DAVID JOHN POTTER
Charged with importing a commercial quantity of drugs.
EMMANUEL VAMOUKAKIS
Aged 40 from Mount Keira. Charged with conspiracy to import cocaine, directing a criminal group, dealing in proceeds of crime. Refused bail by Wollongong Court.
ASHLEY RAKE
Aged 37 from Vaucluse. Charged with knowingly deal with proceeds of crime being a Lamborghini Huracan LP 580-2 Coupe DJE18S, publish false misleading material to obtain advantage, supply large quality of drugs and participate in a criminal group. Refused bail by Waverley Local Court.
ANDREW PAUL SANKEY
Aged 42. Charged with apprehension on warrant issued by another state. Refused bail by Central Local Court.
BRETT ANTHONY SMITH
Aged 48 from Maroubra. Charged with trafficking marketable quantity of drug, proceeds of crime. Refused bail by Central Local Court.
CHRISTIE STUCHBERY
Aged 40 from of Enfield. Charged with supply prohibited drug (indictable offence), participate criminal group contribute criminal activity and two counts of conspire commit offence under Division 2. Refused bail by Newtown Local Court.
DAVID JOHN WALKER
Aged 35 from Mudgee. Charged with firearms offences, supply prohibited drug, deal with the proceeds of crime and deal or attempt to deal in protected animal. Refused bail by Mudgee Local Court.
Originally published as Operation Ironside: Full list of Australians charged
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