Edwin Valentine, Kumar extradition hearing to US over alleged An0m links

An extradition proceeding heard suburban cleanskin Edwin Valentine - who lives at home with mum and dad - is alleged to be a “significant figure in a ... transnational criminal group”.

A cleanskin tech whiz who allegedly set up encrypted phones for the international An0m criminal syndicate is facing extradition to the United States over his alleged involvement with some of the group’s biggest players.

Edwin Kumar – who has changed his name to Edwin Valentine – is facing up to 25 years in prison in America after the FBI charged him with one count of racketeering.

Authorities allege Kumar, 34, set up devices with the supposedly encrypted messaging app An0m for members of a global syndicate who are accused of using it to facilitate major drug supply and other significant crimes.

Unbeknown to the syndicate’s members, the FBI had bought the app from a tech-savvy drug dealer and were watching the worldwide group’s every move in more than 25 million messages, along with the Australian Federal Police.

Edwin Kumar – also known as Edwin Valentine.

Kumar has now been in protective custody at Parklea Correctional Centre for two months since his arrest as the United States of America applies for his extradition to face the Federal Court of the Southern District of California.

Barrister Trent Glover, acting for the United States of America in an extradition hearing at Central Local Court on August 31, said Kumar was alleged to have set up the An0m devices. The devices were allegedly used by his associates, including alleged syndicate boss Joseph Hakan Ayik – who is wanted in Australia on allegations he attempted to import heroin worth $230 million.

“What the applicant is wanted for is to face prosecution in the Southern District of California on one count of racketeering,” Mr Glover told the court.

“The central allegation is he was a member of the transnational criminal group known as An0m – he’s alleged to have been a significant figure in a prominent, sophisticated, well-resourced transnational criminal group.”

Kumar’s co-accused Joseph Hakan Ayik.

Joseph Hakan Ayik.

The court heard the FBI will allege Kumar set up the devices used by the syndicate, who allegedly described the An0m app as being “designed by criminals, for criminals”.

The FBI alleges the relevant offending occurred entirely within Australia – as Kumar resided in his parents’ granny flat in a sleepy street in the southern Sydney suburb of Kogarah.

Alleged syndicate ringleader Ayik – who also grew up in Kogarah – is believed to be on the run in Turkey, where he is also a citizen.

Kumar’s barrister, Sydney silk Grant Brady, acknowledged the serious allegations Kumar now faces as he sought bail for his client.

“The link to the United States appears to be (referenced in the indictment) – that Mr Kumar allegedly set up An0m devices for end users who exported illicit narcotics from the United States, and the Southern District of California,” Mr Brady told Magistrate Hugh Donnelly.

“(It’s alleged) he supplied these devices to people and that those people then committed an offence against the United States – there’s nothing linking him to that other than supplying the devices.”

Mr Donnelly has reserved his decision on bail and the extradition to September 14.

Kumar, in happier times.

The court heard Kumar has been subject to extremely onerous conditions as he languishes in Parklea Jail on remand awaiting the FBI’s next move.

Due to his status as a prisoner in need of protection, Mr Brady said Kumar was only permitted to leave his cell and go outside for 30 minutes a day – and that he has spent approximately 79 of his 81 days in custody to date completely inside.

Parklea Prison is now also in the grips of an alarming Covid outbreak which has hit dozens of prisoners and some staff.

The court heard Kumar’s only criminal history involves two convictions for driving while disqualified in 2012 and 2017.