ANOM fallout: The Adelaide business owners arrested in Operation Ironside 3.0
These small business owners were among 55 in South Australia to face serious criminal allegations after Operation Ironside kicked into gear again.
Multiple owners of South Australian businesses have been caught up in the latest Operation Ironside busts that have stunned the state this week.
They are just some of the 55 alleged criminals stung in AN0M raids that swept Adelaide and South Australia on Wednesday in the latest major moves in the now famous Operation Ironside saga.
There’s no suggestion of wrongdoing by other employees of these businesses.
Esculent/Old Reynella cafe
Esculent on Old South Road in Old Reynella is owned by Damien Niesche who is charged with 10 counts of drug trafficking, mostly involving cannabis.
Mr Niesche has run the “family owned and operated business” since 2015.
The cafe serves up a range of takeaway food including burgers, wraps and pub classics like schnitzel and fish and chips.
Their food is available on both Uber Eats and DoorDash.
The business recently announced on their Facebook page that they had been nominated in the 2025 Onkaparinga Business Awards and encouraged their customers to vote for them.
Esculent has a 4.5 star rating on Google with reviews flooded with positive feedback on their meals.
E3 Concrete Constructions
29-year-old Robert Errigo is the co-owner of E3 Concrete Constructions.
The business has worked on a range of residential projects across South Australia.
Their Instagram and Facebook pages are devoted to images of their work and their employees.
Johnboy’s Transport
29-year-old John Stevenson of Dublin, is charged with three counts of trafficking in a large commercial quantity of a controlled drug.
Mr Stevenson is the owner and operator of trucking and hauling company Johnboy’s Transport, which has been in operation since 2016.
The business name as reported by ASIC was previously Johnboy’s Transport until December 2022, however, has been listed as Johnboy’s Trucking from September this year.
The company specialises in “interstate, local, general freight, and harvest” haulage.
Johnboy’s Transport was a people’s choice winner and came third in the best truck over 15 years category at the Murray Bridge White Hill Truck Drivers’ Memorial Day last year.
The company has also made appearances at the Mannum Truck and Ute Show in the past.
Other business names owned by Mr Stevenson include JB Shine and J and C Stevenson Trucking.
