Six arrested after AN0M sting catches $225 million cocaine bust

More than $200m worth of cocaine was allegedly seized and six men were arrested after police – acting on intel from Operation Ironside – intercepted a luxury yacht.

Exclusive: The police encrypted app AN0M has led to another bust of an alleged drug plot, with $225 million worth of cocaine seized from a charter luxury yacht in the English Channel.

The Australian Federal Police and UK’s National Crime Agency intercepted the charter yacht Kahu on Friday, and seized 2000 kilograms of cocaine allegedly being carried on board.

Five Nicaraguan nationals and one UK citizen were arrested after the UK Border Force intercepted and boarded the Kahu 80 nautical miles off the UK coast.

The Kahu, built in New Zealand in 1979, is a luxury expedition yacht, with six bedrooms including two VIP staterooms, and an on-deck spa. An online advertisement lists her sale price as 1.5 million euros – about $2.5 million.

The yacht, which had departed Barbados on August 3, was towed to shore at Plymouth, where the drugs were seized and the yacht forensically examined.

One of six men arrested and brought ashore at Turnchapel Wharf in Plymouth, UK. Picture: AFP

The Australian Federal Police and UK’s National Crime Agency intercepted the charter yacht Kahu on Friday. Picture: AFP

Australian Federal Police officers based in the UK were part of the multi-agency bust, which came after the AFP tipped off the National Crime Agency about an alleged transnational drugs syndicate which was using the yacht Kahu to co-ordinate cocaine shipments.

The information came out of Operation Ironside, the AFP’s massive undercover sting which involved planting an encrypted app into the global underworld. Alleged criminals using the app, known as AN0M, were unaware it had been developed in conjunction with the FBI, and that the Australian Federal Police were secretly monitoring the 25 million messages sent on it.

AFP Assistant Commissioner Northern Command, Lesa Gale, said intelligence from Operation Ironside had enabled the AFP to assist international enforcement partners in disrupting what police alleged was a sophisticated criminal network.

The Australian Federal Police and UK’s National Crime Agency intercepted the charter yacht Kahu on Friday, seizing 2000 kilograms of cocaine allegedly being carried on board. Picture: AFP

Authorities estimate the “massive haul” has a street value of 120 million pounds – the equivalent of A$225m. Picture: AFP

“Operation Ironside has opened the door to unprecedented collaboration across law enforcement agencies around the globe,” Assistant Commissioner Gale said.

“This result highlights the importance of the AFP’s partnership with the NCA to combat offshore transnational organised crime that impacts both of our countries.”

“The AFP and NCA have a strong, historic relationship and both agencies recognise the significant threat to national security posed by transnational organised crime.”

The yacht, which had departed Barbados on August 3, was towed to shore at Plymouth, where the drugs were seized and the yacht forensically examined. Picture: vesselfinder.com

NCA Deputy Director Matt Horne described the cocaine seized as a “massive haul’’ with a street value of 120 million pounds – the equivalent of A$225 million.

“There’s no doubt these drugs would have been sold on into communities across the UK fuelling more crime and misery,’’ he said.

“Organised crime groups are motivated by money. The deprivation of these drugs will smash a hole in the organised crime group’s plans and ability to operate.

“Also, the arrests of the men transporting the drugs means the crime group has lost trusted offenders who would have been key to their operation.

“We continue to work with partners at home such as Border Force and those abroad such as the AFP to protect the public from the Class A drugs threat.”

The AN0M sting of the century has so far seen 297 people in Australia arrested, and an estimated 1200 arrests worldwide.