‘In too deep’: Undercover cops exposed in AFP blunder

A group of former undercover cops are now in hiding and demanding a parliamentary inquiry into the AFP who they say broke all golden rules of undercover work.

They have infiltrated the most violent drug cartels and organised crime gangs in the world.

Despite knowing one wrong move could see them tortured and killed, the operatives went deep undercover targeting mobsters at the highest levels.

The cops were so good at their work they were deployed for years and years.

They were used on multiple jobs at the same time, targeting different crime gangs using different identities.

They knew what they were doing was high risk. But they trusted the AFP executive had done the appropriate deconfliction checks to ensure the gangs did not know or work together.

“The work was so exciting … and altruistic. We were doing something to help our country,” said one agent. “I didn’t realise the dangers until I was in too deep.”

A NSW undercover officer on an operation.

AFP Deputy Commissioner Ian McCartney has said the police undercovers are “some of Australia’s unsung heroes. They put their lives on hold and they risk their lives to help bring some of the most dangerous criminals to justice.”

But the group of undercover cops say it all blew up dramatically when police intelligence revealed the separate operations had significant links.

This meant their assumed identities could be discovered at any minute.

“The feeling was insane … I felt sick to the stomach,” said the agent. “I know the reach these people have. I know what they are capable of.”

The undercovers needed a cover story for a fast exit but the AFP did not have anything ready.

Running through options, one suggestion was to admit they were cops.

“I said then we are definitely dead,” the agent said.

“I remember the phone kept ringing and ringing. It was the targets. (gangsters) I just didn’t answer,” said one agent. “Eventually I turned it off and took the SIM card out.”

Police sources say there is a view that there should have been a series of contingency plans. Disappearing in the crime world means either someone has been killed, they are an informant or an undercover cop. Whichever way, the crooks will eventually come looking to see what has happened.

Former NSW police undercover boss Michael Drury. Picture: Dylan Robinson

Former NSW police undercover boss Mick Drury said, in general, if something were to go wrong, a cover story or exit strategy could be put together in 24 hours to explain their sudden absence.

Former undercover cop Zoe Jones said the gathering of intelligence and ongoing risk assessments are a mandatory part of all undercover deployments.

“You can’t account for every scenario, but all possible strategies should be worked through before they go in,” Ms Jones said. “Their safety and wellbeing is paramount and the highest priority.”

The operatives say they and their families have been left exposed by the AFP which they claimed had not done the most basic threat and risk assessments.

Zoe Jones (not her real name) is a retired undercover police officer. Picture: Tim Hunter

Now they are in hiding describing their lives as like scenes from movie The Departed. They feel betrayed, fearful, unsure who to trust – even within their own organisation.

“We have gone from being worried to death about the crooks coming after us, to worried the AFP coming after us.”

The agents pleaded for heightened security measures while arrangements were made to relocate them.

AFP Deputy Commissioner McCartney said they spent tens of thousands of dollars boosting security at their homes.

“I want to be clear. We take the safety of our undercover members extremely seriously,” he said.

AFP Deputy Commissioner Ian McCartney APM Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

But the operatives have questioned the effectniveness of the new security measures which include giving them crim-mesh and other basic security measures and told to ring triple-0 if there was a threat.

“By the time they (cops) react, we will be all dead,” one said.

What makes it worse is they believe senior managers got security upgrades on their homes after the Ironside bust which took down a string of organised crime figures.

The operatives also say the AFP’s handling of their situation has been so neglectful it has significantly added to the deterioration of their mental health.

Undercover police risks theirs lives to bring criminals to justice. Picture: Nicole Garmston

The agents say they have become “ghosts”.

“I can’t have a normal life, go to parties, kids school events, reunions or anywhere photos might be taken and end up on the internet,” one said. “All you need is one person to see that photo and say that’s not them…

“You are f…d!”

“I know the day is coming ...every time I go out there is a chance someone will see me.”

A recent review of the AFP undercover program has revealed just how broken and underfuneded it has been been.

The scathing review by former AFP assistant commissioner Frank Prendergast recommended a raft of changes which the AFP say have been implemented.

But the undercovers say those changes haven’t filtered through to them.

They are still sitting at home with doors locked.