Four refused bail on drug charges after ANoM raids at Wickham, Elermore Vale, Medowie, Bobin and Banora Point

Data analysis from Australia‘s largest-ever police sting has prompted a series of raids in relation to alleged drug syndicate with links to bikies overseas.

Four people, some with alleged links to overseas-based bikies, have been arrested across the Hunter and mid-north coast as police from the country’s largest ever police sting continue to painstakingly comb data.

Detectives from Strike Force Byarong, which was established last year to investigate drug activity from users of the now infamous ANoM app, raided properties at Elermore Vale, Wickham, Medowie, Taree and near the Queensland border on Wednesday where they took four people into custody.

Police said the search warrants were a direct result of Operation Ironside, a co-ordinated investigation led by the Australian Federal Police, the FBI and the Canadian Mounted Police into large-scale drug importations, drug manufacture and other criminal activity linked to the ANoM app.

Four people were arrested in a series of raids on Wednesday following further analysis of data being used on the ANoM app. (Photo by Olivier Morin / AFP)

Police allegedly seized a shotgun, ammunition, cannabis leaf, cash, numerous electronic devices including a dedicated encrypted communication device, documentation and other items.

It will be alleged all four were variously involved in the cultivation and supply of significant quantities of prohibited drugs between October 2019 and June 2021.

Speaking generally, Drug and Firearms Squad commander, Detective Superintendent John Watson, said the data left behind by criminals exposed during Operation Ironside continued to yield results for investigators.

“We will be alleging this syndicate was involved in the cultivation and supply of cannabis and other prohibited drugs including cocaine and MDMA on a large commercial scale,” Det Supt Watson said.

He said police would allege that “these individuals were directly linked to high-ranking overseas members of the Comanchero OMCG and each played a role in carrying out the illicit activities of the syndicate at the expense of our community”.

Speaking generally, he added: “Those who used the ANoM phones to facilitate serious organised crime should know that it is only a matter of time until you are prosecuted for your criminal endeavours.’’

Edward Jay Ryan, 31, was arrested at a home in Bobin, west of Taree and later charged with seven offences including two counts of supply prohibited drug more than large commercial quantity, supply prohibited drug more than commercial quantity, cultivate prohibited plant more than commercial quantity, import commercial quantity of border-controlled drug, knowingly direct activities of criminal group, and knowingly deal with proceeds of crime.

He was refused bail in Forster Local Court on Wednesday to appear in Taree Local Court on June 22.

Peter James Maddison faced Newcastle Local Court on Friday on drug charges.

Peter James Maddison, 54, was arrested at an Elermore Vale address and later charged with supply prohibited drug more than indictable amount, two counts of supply prohibited drug more than large commercial quantity, knowingly deal with proceeds of crime, and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.

Maddison was refused bail in Newcastle Local Court on Friday and will reappear on June 16.

Lindsay Philip Giles, 38, was taken into custody at a Wickham address and faced court on Wednesday charged with two counts of supply prohibited drug more than large commercial quantity, knowingly deal with proceeds of crime, and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.

And Janey Maree Zycki, 51, was arrested at a Medowie property before facing Raymond Terrace Local Court charged with two counts of supply prohibited drug more than large commercial quantity, possess ammunition without holding license or permit or authority, possess unauthorised firearm, possess prohibited drug, knowingly deal with proceeds of crime, and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.

She was refused bail to reappear on June 20.