AN0M one year on: Where are they now?
A little over one year after the AN0M ‘sting of the century’ smashed drug rings around the world, here’s what’s happened to the alleged Queensland underworld figures snared in the operation.
Police & Courts
Don't miss out on the headlines from Police & Courts. Followed categories will be added to My News.
One year on from the largest drug bust Australia has ever seen, alleged underworld criminals are still filtering through our court system.
The Australian Federal Police Operation Ironside caught hundreds of Australians accused of breaking the law - many allegedly dealing drugs and weapons, and some even allegedly involved in serious organised crime.
The list below reveals where the Queensland individuals swept up in Operation Ironside are now, while some may have been slapped with other charges since the Federal Police swooped in.
They include six who have been sentenced - receiving fines and suspended jail sentences and one who pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing.
There are 16 - many of whom are facing the most serious charges - whose cases are still progressing through the court system.
Benjamin Joseph Haylock, 42 of Mermaid Waters, is a crane operator who allegedly trafficked drugs and firearms as a part of the alleged Brisbane crime syndicate charged through the Australian Federal Police’s “sting of the century” crackdown.
His case is listed for mention this month.
Rich young Brisbane house flipper turned alleged drug kingpin Christopher John Spurling - is also awaiting mention of his case later this year.
He is accused of hiring a Bachelorette contestant to drive $660,000 worth of cocaine 1000km to Queensland, court documents reveal with police alleging he was a high-level wholesale drug trafficker.
IRONSIDE ACCUSED ALREADY SENTENCED
Casey Mark Smales, 25, Mount Sheridan
CHARGES: 1x possessing dangerous drugs schedule 1 drug quantity of or exceeding schedule 3 but less than schedule 4,
2x possessing dangerous drugs,
1x possess utensils or pipes etc that had been used
COURT OUTCOME: Pleaded guilty 24/2/2002, Southport Magistrates Court
3 month’s imprisonment, suspended for an operational period of 18 months; driver’s license disqualified 2 years; 6 months’ probation
No evidence to offer charges 2 and 4
Alex Ryan Townsend, 30, The Gap
CHARGES: 1x possessing dangerous drugs,
1x possessing/acquiring restricted items,
1x possess utensils or pipes etc that had been used,
1x unlawful possession of weapons category A, B or M
COURT OUTCOME: Pleaded guilty to all charges 29/6/2021 in Brisbane Magistrates Court
$900 fine, forfeiture of drugs, drug-related property and weapons
Reece Thomas Punter, 32, Kippa Ring
CHARGES: 1x possessing dangerous drugs,
1x possess utensils or pipes etc that had been used
COURT OUTCOME: Pleaded guilty 18/6/2021 in Redcliffe Magistrates Court
$700 fine, forfeit drug-related products
Shane Daniel Meeuwssen, 29, Palm Beach
CHARGES: 1x possessing dangerous drugs,
1x possess property suspected of having been used in connection with the commission of a drug offence,
4x unlawful possession of restricted drugs
COURT OUTCOME: Pleaded guilty 22/10/2021 in Coolangatta Magistrates Court
Forfeit property; $500 recognisance and 5 months’ good behaviour
No evidence to offer charges 3-6
Duc Thang Truong, 37, Upper Mount Gravatt
CHARGES: 1x possessing dangerous drugs
COURT OUTCOME: Pleaded guilty 19/7/2021 in Brisbane Magistrates Court
$600 fine
Grahame William Rowe, 40, Goodna
CHARGES: 1x trafficking in dangerous drugs,
1x possessing dangerous drugs schedule 2 drug quality of or exceeding schedule 3,
1x receiving or possessing property obtained from trafficking or supplying,
1x possessing anything used in the commission of crime defined in part 2,
1x manufacture, sale, supply, obtaining or possession of gaming machines
COURT OUTCOME: Pleaded guilty 31/5/2022 in Brisbane District Court
3 years’ imprisonment, suspended after serving 5 months, serious drug offence certificate
convicted not punished for charges 1b and 2-C
IRONSIDE ACCUSED WHO HAVE PLEADED GUILTY
Richard Huynh, 37, Brisbane
CHARGES: 1x possessing dangerous drugs schedule 1 drug quantity of or exceeding schedule 3 but less than schedule 4,
4x possess dangerous drug specified in schedule 1 or 2,
1x contravening order about information necessary to access information stored electronically, 2x possessing anything for use in the commission of crime defined in part 2
STATUS: Pleaded guilty to all 8 charges on 3/5/2022.
Listed for sentencing 12/8/2022, Brisbane Supreme Court.
IRONSIDE ACCUSED WHO HAVE ACTIVE CASES
Sione Havea Mahonri Afu, 32, Richlands
CHARGES: 1x attempt to commit offence possessing dangerous drugs schedule 1 drug quantity of or exceeding schedule 4
CURRENT STATUS: Listed for 5-day trial commencing 28/11/2022, Brisbane Supreme Court
Mitchell David Arnold, 35, Woolloongabba /Ipswich
CHARGES: 5x unlawfully possess a relevant substance or thing,
3x possessing anything for use in the commission of crime defined in part 2,
1x producing dangerous drugs - serious organised crime,
2x possess property suspected of having been acquired for the purpose of committing a drug offence
CURRENT STATUS: Listed for mention 1/7/2022, Brisbane Magistrates Court
Joel Patrick Frank, 39, Ipswich
CHARGES: 1x unlawfully possess a relevant substance or thing,
1x possessing dangerous drugs schedule 1 drug quantity of or exceeding schedule 3 but less than schedule 4,
1x possessing dangerous drugs
CURRENT STATUS: Listed for mention 1/7/2022, Brisbane Magistrates Court
Cody Lee Ndebele, 29, Ipswich
CHARGES: 1x producing dangerous drugs - serious organised crime,
1x permitting use of place,
1x possessing anything for use in the commission of crime defined in part 2,
1x possessing dangerous drugs, 1x unlawfully possess a relevant substance or thing,
1x possessing dangerous drugs schedule 1 drug quantity of or exceeding schedule 3 but less than schedule 4
CURRENT STATUS: Listed for mention 2/9/2022, Brisbane Magistrates Court
Awais Ibad Ali, 34, Kuraby / Woolloongabba
CHARGES: 1x trafficking in dangerous drugs,
1x possessing dangerous drugs schedule 2 drug quantity of or exceeding schedule 3,
1x possessing anything for use in the commission of crime defined in part 2, possessing dangerous drugs schedule 1 drug quantity of or exceeding schedule 4,
1x possessing dangerous drugs,
1x possession of property suspected of being the proceeds of an offence under drugs misuse act,
8x obtain or deal with another entity’s identification information for purpose of committing, or facilitating commission of, an indictable offence,
1x possessing equipment for purpose of committing/ facilitating the commission of an offence against 480D(1),
1x contravening order about information necessary to access information stored electronically, 1x possess shortened firearms,
1x unlawful possession of weapons category A, B or M
CURRENT STATUS: Listed for mention 5/8/2022, Brisbane Magistrates Court
Jesse Dore, 38, Windsor / Ocean View / Beachmere
CHARGES: 1x producing dangerous drugs,
2x possessing dangerous drugs,
1x possessing dangerous drugs schedule 1 drug quantity of or exceeding schedule 4,
1x producing dangerous drugs schedule 2 drug quantity of or exceeding schedule 3,
1x possessing dangerous drugs schedule 2 drug quantity of or exceeding schedule 3,
2x possessing anything used in the commission of crime defined in part 2,
1x unlawfully possess a relevant substance or thing,
1x publishing or processing instructions for producing dangerous drugs,
1x possessing anything for use in the commission of crime defined in part 2,
1x possession of property suspected of being the proceeds of an offence under drugs misuse act,
2x possess utensils or pipes etc that had been used,
1x possess property suspected of having been used in connection with the commission of a drug offence,
1x unlawful possession of weapons category D/H/R weapon,
1x unlawful possession of weapons category C/E weapon, 1x possess shortened firearms,
1x authority required to possess explosives, 1, trafficking in dangerous drugs,
1x unlawful trafficking in weapons category H/R weapon category A/B/C/D/E or explosive
CURRENT STATUS: Listed for Committal 6/7/2022, Pine Rivers Magistrates Court
Benjamin Joseph Thornton, 32, Coorparoo / Carina Heights
CHARGES: 1x unlawful possession of motor vehicles, aircraft or vessels with intent to deprive,
2x trafficking in dangerous drugs
CURRENT STATUS: Listed for mention 5/8/2022, Brisbane Magistrates Court
Sopiea Kong, 34, East Brisbane
CHARGES: 1x obtain or deal with another entity’s identification information for purpose of committing, or facilitating commission of, an indictable offence,
1x possess property suspected of having been used in connection with the commission of a drug offence,
1x possession of property suspected of being the proceeds of an offence under drugs misuse act,
1x possess property suspected of having been acquired for the purpose of committing a drug offence
CURRENT STATUS: Listed for mention 5/8/2022, Brisbane Magistrates Court
Christopher John Spurling, 34, Albany Creek
CHARGES: 1x trafficking in dangerous drugs serious organised crime,
1x unlawful trafficking in weapons category H/R weapon category A/B/C/D/E or explosive,
1x possessing anything used in the commission of crime defined in part 2
CURRENT STATUS: Listed for mention on 2/9/2022, the Brisbane Magistrates Court
Cody John Albert Kirby, 34, Forest Lake
CHARGES: 1x trafficking in dangerous drugs serious organised crime,
1x producing dangerous drugs,
1x possessing dangerous drugs schedule 2 drug quantity of or exceeding schedule 3,
2x possessing dangerous drugs,
1x possession of property suspected of being the proceeds of an offence under drugs misuse act,
1x possess utensils or pipes that had been used,
1x authority for controlled drugs
CURRENT STATUS: Listed for mention on 2/9/2022, Brisbane Magistrates Court
Majok Majok Chol, 24, Woodridge
CHARGES: 1x possessing dangerous drugs schedule 2 drug quantity of or exceeding schedule 3
CURRENT STATUS: Listed for mention 13/7/2022, Beenleigh District Court
Alexis Jannah Hinton, 23, Woodridge
CHARGES: 1x possession of property suspected of being the proceeds of an offence under drugs misuse act
CURRENT STATUS: Listed for mention 24/8/2022, Beenleigh Magistrates Court
Senad Catic, 35, Burbank
CHARGES: 2x possessing anything for use in the commission of crime defined in part 2,
1x producing dangerous drugs - serious organised crime
CURRENT STATUS: Listed for mention 1/7/2022, Brisbane Magistrates Court
Johnathan James Casiotis, 35, Moorooka
CHARGES: 1x possessing anything for use in the commission of crime defined in part 2,
1x producing dangerous drugs - serious organised crime,
1x possessing dangerous drugs,
1x possess utensils or pipes etc that had been used,
1x contravening order about information necessary to access information stored electronically, 1x possess property suspected of having been used in connection with the commission of a drug offence
CURRENT STATUS: Listed for mention 2/9/2022, Brisbane Magistrates Court
Benjamin Joseph Haylock, 42, Paddington
CHARGES: 1x trafficking in dangerous drugs serious organised crime,
1x unlawful trafficking in weapons category H/R weapon category A/B/C/D/E or explosive,
1x possessing anything used in the commission of crime defined in part 2,
1x contravening order about information necessary to access information stored electronically, 1x possessing dangerous drugs,
1x possession of property suspected of being the proceeds of an offence under drugs misuse act
CURRENT STATUS: Listed for mention 2/9/2022, Brisbane Magistrates Court
Ernesto Antonio Silva, 34, Springfield
CHARGES: 2x possessing dangerous drugs,
1x possess utensils or pipes etc for use,
1x possessing anything for use in the commission of crime defined in part 2,
1x possession of property suspected of being the proceeds of an offence under drugs misuse act,
1x trafficking in dangerous drugs serious organised crime,
1x unlawful trafficking in weapons category H/R weapon category A/B/C/D/E or explosive
CURRENT STATUS: Listed for mention 2/9/2022 in Brisbane Magistrates Court
Hit and run: Police hunt driver in Pimpama e-scooter crash
A teenager has been taken to hospital after they were knocked from their e-scooter on the Gold Coast in an alleged hit and run.
Read more
Highfields residents wake to find knife-wielding intruders in their home
Police are hunting multiple offenders after Highfields residents woke up to a terrifying incident where they were threatened with a knife, with a robbery following in Newtown.
Read more