Inside 1000 pages of encrypted messages sent by accused drug boss Mostafa Baluch
From the feuds with high profile bikies to treating his alleged drug empire like the stock market. The more than 1000 pages of encrypted text messages recovered from missing Northern Beaches drug dealer Mostafa Baluch tell an incredible story.
Police & Courts
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He was known simply as “Gangster”.
That was the nickname Mostafa Baluch was allegedly known by in more than 1000 pages of text messages on his encrypted AN0M phone that police will allege in court showed how he communicated with several heavy-hitters from the world drug trade in the months leading up to his disappearance last month.
Publicly, Baluch had been known as the son of a Northern Beaches family that owned a collection of successful restaurants, including iconic Newport pizzeria, Lucky and Pep’s. There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing by Baluch’s family.
The text messages are now set to be used by police as evidence in court to show the 33-year-old was living a double life as a major player on the international drug market.
In one message exchange, Baluch allegedly wrote that he could do “even 180kg a week” with one particular drug importer, but then complained it would only happen “if he listens” to the 33-year-old’s expertise on how to execute such a move.
“ … They have ego in this game, everyone wanna be a gangster,” Baluch allegedly wrote.
“ … I’m teaching them.”
Later in the exchange, Baluch allegedly estimated a huge earning potential: “This is like ($)45 million in sales every week.”
And this was with just one of the AN0M profiles Baluch was allegedly communicating with. Baluch was allegedly talking to 23 others. According to police, they were located all over the world and could ship stockpiles of drugs including cocaine, heroin, ice, MDMA and ketamine on request.
The drug traders Baluch was allegedly texting were based in Thailand, Cambodia, Montenegro, Greece and the Netherlands, according to GPS coordinates on their texts. Police have the messages because they were sent on AN0M phones.
The devices were once thought to include impenetrable encryption that prevented them being tapped by law enforcement. But they were revealed earlier this year to be part of a police sting where investigators were able to read every message.
Baluch was arrested on June 3 at his Bayview home and was charged over an attempt to import 900kg of cocaine from Ecuador to Australia. Police swapped the alleged cocaine for fake drugs and it was delivered to a NSW warehouse. He is also accused of attempting to send 27kg of cocaine to several Western Sydney units via the post.
On October 21, Baluch was controversially granted bail on a $4 million security at Central Local Court and vanished four days later when his ankle bracelet was cut off.
In the messages, Baluch was allegedly known by the user name “af3849”. Police fact sheets tendered during the 33-year-old’s bail application showed the methods investigators used to allege that it was Baluch who was using the phone. This included a claim by investigators that the phone’s GPS coordinates showed Baluch and the device were frequently at the same location.
Police will allege the messages show Baluch was very well connected and was applying for a passport to travel to Europe, with one of his associates messaging: “Awesome man. You will love it here. Laid back.”
Baluch was confident in his abilities.
“Don’t worry, I know this game,” Baluch allegedly wrote to an AN0M user in reference to a European drug lord’s doubts about his ability to sell 900kg of cocaine.
“He doesn’t know how good my team is to move product,” Baluch allegedly wrote.
In one message Baluch allegedly wrote that he had “government pilots” who could usually smuggle drugs from Fiji but had been made busy by the pandemic. In other messages, Baluch allegedly claimed to have access to insiders in Customs and freight company DHL who could ensure drug shipments would avoid scrutiny. This even extended to “government pilots”, according to the messages.
“Yes we have government pilots. But they have been busy,” he allegedly wrote in one text. “My pilots are busy delivering Covid vaccinations.”
Other communications said Baluch was being groomed by a Montenegro based drug boss named “Vaso” whom Baluch referred to as being similar to a mentor. In one of the texts, Vaso sent Baluch photos of a luxury home in Montenegro, which looked like a castle, that he bought for (AUD) $7.7 million.
Baluch allegedly texted an overseas based drug trader about a dispute he was having with a Turkey based bikie named “Mark”.
“He said he wanted me dead. I said ‘No problems. Let’s do it’,” Baluch allegedly wrote.
“His people are with me, not him. They don’t like him.”
GETTING RICH
By mid 2021, Baluch was making good on his goal to get rich quickly, the text messages revealed.
According to a police fact sheet tendered to court in October, Baluch had already served a jail sentence between March 2017 and June 2019 after being convicted of supplying a commercial quantity of illegal drugs. And when he got out, he had to start again, he wrote in one text.
“I start with only 400 dollars when I come out of jail,” Baluch allegedly wrote to an AN0M user known as “Ownagain” on May 17.
Things appeared to have moved fast since 2019. Later in the May 17 text exchange, Baluch allegedly wrote: “I’m already rich hahhaha.”
Further in the exchange, Baluch allegedly explained to Ownagain that he had amassed a property empire but had taken steps to prevent authorities from seizing his assets using Australia’s strict proceeds of crime laws.
“Yes, I buy a few (properties) here on (the) beach,” Baluch allegedly wrote.
“But very scared. Australia dangerous.
“ … I arrange everything overseas,” Baluch allegedly added.
“Because money a big problem … I have nothing in my name. I make offshore accounts everywhere.”
Baluch allegedly told Ownagain Australian authorities could still seize assets if they were in a spouse’s name and countered the problem by setting up companies for “everything”.
“With me they can’t get me …(so) they will come for money,” Baluch allegedly wrote. Ownagain wrote: “Australia is dangerous.”
Baluch allegedly advised Ownagain to “invest in shares” or “buy (a) hotel”.
By May this year, Baluch was texting associates to let them know he had millions in cash that he could use to bankroll massive drug importations.
In relation to one deal, being discussed on June 1, Baluch allegedly texted an AN0M user known as Eventbat that “I can pass 30 million of my own money”.
Two days earlier, Baluch had allegedly texted Ownagain and said: “But I have money to cover the load.”
Ownagain wrote back: “So, you have a lot of money, Gangster?”
Baluch allegedly replied: “Yes.”
At other points Baluch was allegedly so flush with cash he could help out his mates. On April 28, Ownagain — who was based out of Australia — asked Baluch for money to be put on a credit card in a fake name for him to use on “normal bills” like “hotels” and “restaurants”.
Baluch allegedly agreed.
“I will find out,” Baluch allegedly wrote.
“Because what I can do is open (an) account in Cyprus or Switzerland and put money there and you can use.”
But in another text, Baluch wrote “I’m not rich” explaining “Just got out of jail”.
DRUG IMPORTERS PTY LTD
According to the texts, Baluch and the people he was communicating with had a corporate approach to allegedly importing drugs. They had contacts all over the world who were sitting on massive stockpiles of A-class drugs ranging from cocaine, heroin, ice, MDMA, ketamine and others.
According to the texts, they monitored the drug market and imported based on which one had the highest market price — much like a stockbroker tracking the stock market before investing.
There were certain rules that had to be followed. Import too much of one particular drug and you would flood the market and make the price drop.
On May 10, AN0M user Orange allegedly messaged Baluch asking he wanted to import “Eye, hammer or candy”.
Orange added; “Eye is easy to buy and get moving” and that “Hammer is flooded so that’s no good. Candy is always good but it’s complicated and a long way”.
The next day, Orange allegedly checked in: “What price is eye there now?”
Baluch allegedly responded: “$65-70k retail.”
“70k. Bloody low again,” Orange wrote back. “Too many people in the business.”
Baluch allegedly added: “Streets are flooded with shit.”
On May 10, Baluch allegedly asked Bionic: “Any seudo?”
Bionic allegedly replied: “No seudo yet. Price too low atm bro.”
Ten days earlier, Bionic allegedly asked Baluch: “The kets, what’s it doing atm? Got a real good line.”
Baluch allegedly wrote back: “Around 40k, I think. I see that’s a lot. For Aussie market lol.”
Baluch and his network allegedly had suppliers all over the world and the texts showed he was always on the lookout for new ones.
On April 16, Baluch allegedly wrote to Nobodyhurry to confirm “Around 40k, I think. I see that’s a lot. For Aussie market lol”.
He then reminded him of a future opportunity: “Plus we got LA on the horizon.”
On May 20, Baluch allegedly told AN0M user Meansverb: “I got direct line from Germany now.”
Two weeks earlier, Baluch allegedly told Ownagain: “With Bionic, I can do 120kg a week … If he listens.”
And they allegedly knew the capacity of the domestic market and how much product they could inject into the market before the price dropped. If one of Baluch’s crew committed this crime they would be banned, he allegedly texted.
“If someone buys at 250 and the market drops to 220 (they’re) out,” he allegedly wrote to Eventbat on June 1.
“Brother, I understand what you’re saying,” Eventbat replied.
“You don’t want to f**k up the buyers … Explain to my father that’s what you can do a week so the market stays at a stable rate. He will understand.”
Baluch appeared to have access to cash to allegedly fund imports. On May 10, Baluch allegedly wrote to Orange and asked “OK any other jobs on? Tell me let’s fund”.
Orange responded: “I got a bloke who can pick up on the top end. I can push from Colo, ECU and Peru. And Laos or Cambo and even HK. Or even Paki or Afghan …”
Baluch allegedly wrote back: “Tell me what you need.”
When it came time to allegedly importing the 900kg of cocaine to Australia, Baluch wrote that he was feeling confident with his team.
“Yes, but let me sort out business here,” he allegedly wrote to Ownagain on May 25.
“I have good people and organisation all over the world now.
“I want to do good job for 900 before I leave,” Baluch allegedly wrote.
“I will hopefully move 500 before I go.”
Ownagain was happy.
“Bravo Gangster,” Ownagain allegedly wrote to Baluch.
“We are now in high league brother …”
Baluch allegedly echoed the sentiment.
“Thankyou, brother,” Baluch allegedly wrote. “This biggest you’ve done.”
Forget to pay a supplier — like the Columbian cocaine bosses — and you risk being cut off.
The celebration texts continued to the next day when Baluch allegedly wrote: “We control (the) market.”
There were also pitfalls and conflicting agendas.
On June 1, Baluch allegedly wrote to Eventbat warning: “You father wants to sell 300kg upfront. I don’t think good idea cause will drop the market.”
Eventbat allegedly wrote back: “My father is under a lot of pressure now. A lot of people want to get paid. The Columbians, hoody, the list goes on.”
“I’m not sure what to say,” Eventbat allegedly wrote.
“I understand what you are saying. The market is very good at the moment and you don’t want the price to drop.”
MOVING OUT
Baluch may have been well set up in Australia, with waterside properties and business contacts, but Europe was calling him.
The 33-year-old’s AN0M contacts were trying to convince him to move overseas.
Baluch wrote in texts that he was set to meet them in the middle and come over for a holiday to see how he liked it and talk business.
When police raided Baluch’s home in Bayview in June, they found a passport application inside his recently purchased $244,000 Bentley.
On May 10, Baluch allegedly told AN0M user Eventbat: “I have my people here so it’s easy.”
Eventbat had been trying to get him to Europe.
“No freedom there,” Eventbat wrote about Australia.
His location on the other hand: “It’s on the Adriatic Sea. Beautiful beaches. Food. Women … Smack bang in the middle of the EU”
On May 23, Baluch’s parole had finished and he allegedly told Ownagain he would try to travel to Europe in the “next two months”.
“Finally to see you,” Ownagain wrote. “Maybe we find you a girl here to (marry) you in MNE … first Montenegro after Serbia after Spain.”
Baluch allegedly responded: “Maybe brother. Will be good to finally see you after so long.”
WHERE IS MARK?
Getting off-side with dangerous people is a common pitfall in the world of alleged drug dealers.
And it was no different for Baluch. According to the messages, Baluch had become embroiled in a dispute with a bikie named Mark who was based in Turkey and Dubai. The text exchanges did not identify Mark’s surname or the nature of the dispute.
On May 19, Baluch allegedly wrote to AN0M user Ownagain and said: “(Mark) said he wanted me dead. I said ‘No problems. Let’s do it’.”
The 33-year-old allegedly added: “Many people see him tell him to back off.”
Baluch allegedly claimed to have control of Mark’s bikie gang.
“No, I didn’t speak (to Mark) but I spoke to his bikie gang. They work for me,” Baluch allegedly wrote. “ … His people are with me, not him. They don’t like him.”
The pair had been discussing the dispute in April when Ownagain allegedly warned Baluch not to get distracted from alleged business by the feud with Mark. On May 19, Baluch wrote to Ownagain that he received a visit from police at his Pyrmont address “Because they know about Mark.”
Baluch allegedly wrote that he searched “my cars, phone, house for listening devices or cameras.” He then marched into Dee Why Police station where “I said ‘What’s the problem? Leave me alone’.” Baluch then wondered via text to Ownagain: “But maybe he put money on my head.”
VASO
Every apprentice needs a master.
And for Baluch, he allegedly wrote in the texts that he had teamed up with a Montenegro based drug boss named “Vaso”.
Vaso’s surname was not revealed in the text messages but Baluch allegedly wrote that they teamed up on a 900kg import of cocaine that made the older man $80 million.
Baluch and others allegedly wrote to each other marvelling at Vaso’s success and wealth.
“He is twice my age,” Baluch allegedly wrote to Ownagain on May 11. “He should have ($)1 billion.”
“I’m just a little kid,” Baluch allegedly wrote to Ownagain on May 17. “(He is the) master. I’m just learning.”
But according to Ownagain – who claimed in one text to have recommended Baluch to Vaso –- the feeling was mutual.
“Bravo, V (Vaso) really (respects) you,” Ownagain wrote. “I see the way he talk about you.”
Vaso allegedly sent Baluch a photo of the luxury home he purchased in Montenegro for (AUD) $7.7 million.
“Look like a castle … Real gangster place” Baluch allegedly wrote. Ownagain replied: “F. king good … real … narco boss style … So big. When you come, we go and stay there.”
According to Ownagain, Vaso’s castle featured a private beach about “40-50m wide”. But like veterans in any field, Ownagain warned that Vaso was set in his ways.
“V is good man but he like his way,” Ownagain wrote on May 27. “Just (go) slowly (because) he easily get offended, so don’t push too much.”
On May 29, after allegedly completing the 900kg cocaine import with Vaso, Baluch allegedly wrote: “He old man … wanna retire … he just make ($) 80 million.”
“He said (it took) three years to do this job,” Baluch allegedly wrote.
Later in the conversation, Baluch and Ownagain were allegedly talking about a dispute with Vaso and how the proceeds of the alleged imports should be divided.
Ownagain wrote: “You are smart, brother. Just be smart and you will find a deal with V. Baluch allegedly wrote that he was confident in his abilities.
“Don’t worry, I know this game,” Baluch allegedly wrote. “He doesn’t know how good my team is to move product.”
CONCEALMENT AND METHODS
When it came to smuggling drugs into Australia, Baluch and the people he was communicating with allegedly had the process down to a fine art. According to their AN0M text exchanges, their methods were almost scientific. And each country had its own set of rules, which required expert knowledge to navigate.
This included a method to allegedly disguise cocaine by mixing it with liquid soap so it could be extracted once it had been delivered. Other deliveries allegedly relied on corrupt Customs officials to overlook packages while Baluch even allegedly claimed to have government pilots working for him in Fiji.
On top of this, the messages showed Baluch and the people he was texting allegedly had an expert knowledge of the processes used by delivery companies like DHL and FedEx.
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With this knowledge, they could allegedly package drug shipments in such a way that they were less likely to raise red flags with authorities.
On April 18, Baluch allegedly sent a picture message to AN0M user Nobody hurry that said “My new method … You like? Plastic concealment.”
The messages did not elaborate on how the method worked. On March 23, AN0M user Swordfish allegedly sent a message to Baluch and others relating to a “25kg shipment” that said: “I have a liquid system with soap. Those guys will explain how to make it in a brick again.”
Baluch allegedly wrote back with questions on April 2: “So the cocaine will be liquid? And we extract it back? Is it hard to extract back? Also, will it be just powder or will it come back to a block?”
Swordfish responded: “It come back to a block.”
Baluch allegedly wrote back with questions on April 2: “So the cocaine will be liquid? And we extract it back? Is it hard to extract back? Also, will it be just powder or will it come back to a block?”
Swordfish responded: “It come back to a block.” Baluch allegedly wrote that he had a friend who had access to corrupt border officials who could ensure packages would not be scrutinised. On May 10, AN0M user Orange asked Baluch if a shipment should go “via box or boat?”
Baluch allegedly responded: “What’s easier? Mate has Customs and another mate a door to Oz.”
This also extended to Baluch allegedly claiming to have pilots who could smuggle drugs from Fiji.
On April 15, Baluch allegedly wrote to AN0M user Orange, who was asking about a “Fiji job”, explaining: “Well we have the product there so can we arrange for your people to finish the job?”
“Cause I don’t think we can get anyone there,” Baluch allegedly wrote. “Also, my pilots are delivering Covid vaccine all around Australia.
Orange responded: “You have pilots? Lucky you. We used to have pilots years ago.”
“Yes, we have government pilots,” Baluch allegedly replied. “But they’ve been busy.”
Sending shipments through freight companies required a forensic knowledge of each company and how they operated in each country they operated from, according to the text exchanges.
This included knowing what was the maximum weight each package could be before it raised a red flag or was too heavy to be sent through the post and became classified as cargo.
Even the packaging had to conform to a certain set of rules.
“It’s all about (the) description. Even the description you sent was flagged,” Baluch alleged wrote on May 3 about a failed shipment that was seized. “Best to be fragile, glass sculptures with security check repacked stickers etc.”
On May 23, Baluch allegedly wrote to AN0M user Bionic and said: “Like, if we conceal bricks in Greek plates … with fragile and security checked stickers. Won’t come in red flagged. Plus is a great description.”
Each shipment was allegedly preceded by a “dummy load” that was sent as a test run with the appearance of being from a “proper company” with “stickers”, the text exchanges said. The company had to be real with a clean — and preferably long — history so as not raise suspicion of border officials, the texts said.
Baluch allegedly wrote that insiders from freight company DHL would charge a per cent fee to send a dummy load and the eventual shipment, which the 33-year-old wrote was “very high” on April 12.
But it didn’t always go to plan and the texts showed several shipments were intercepted resulting in kilos of drugs being seized. On May 2, Baluch allegedly wrote to Bionic and complained that a shipment from Greece was “doomed from the start” because the “UK crew” sent a shipment that had the same description as one that had been seized previously.
“UK are idiots,” Baluch allegedly wrote. “Second time this has happened. “
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