Adelaide man Jack Sauer, 33, charged with trafficking after AFP ‘Ghost’ app bust

A well-known Adelaide man has been the first person in South Australia charged over a nationwide criminal underworld bust.

• Cops crack secret app used to plan organised crime

A businessman well known in Adelaide’s social scene is behind bars on remand after becoming the first South Australian charged in a global organised crime bust involving an encrypted messaging application.

Australian Federal Police ­officers arrested former private school boy Jack Park Sauer, 33, at his Henley Beach home in a dawn raid on Tuesday after ­infiltrating a secret communication platform called “Ghost”.

Jack Sauer, the first South Australian arrested, and charged following a nation-wide AFP bust over an organised crime related, app operation. Picture: Supplied

Police said investigations were ongoing and further arrests worldwide are expected.

Mr Sauer, whose online exploits shows an extensive social life with prominent Adelaide hospitality, entertainment, sport and business identities, was charged with serious drug trafficking offences under the worldwide Operation Kraken.

Federal authorities will allege they uncovered more than $150,000 in cash and 3kg of methamphetamine.

Mr Sauer, who has yet to plead to any charges, is also ­accused of trafficking cocaine.

He appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Wednesday after being further charged with one count each of supporting acriminal organisation and dealing in proceeds of crime, money or property worth more than $100,000.

The Scotch College graduate faces a maximum 25 years’ imprisonment if the charges are proven. David Edwardson KC, defending, told the court that bail was “premature given the nature” of the investigation.

His client was remanded in custody until mid-next month.

Court documents allege the offences occurred across Adelaide’s north and west between March 20 and September 17 this year. AFP investigators, along with heavily armed SA Police STAR Group officers, also raided a North Plympton business along with two homes at West Lakes and Prospect.

Jack Sauer is the first South Australian charged following a nationwide AFP bust over an organised crime related app operation. Picture: Supplied

Mr Sauer has been charged with two counts of trafficking in a large commercial quantity of a controlled drug.

The AFP said agents seized more than $250,000 in cash, at least 11kg of methamphetamine, more than 30kg of drug precursors, 40g of cocaine, 2g of ketamine and “encrypted criminal communications” alleged for “drug trafficking activities”. Nearly 700 officers executed search warrants in four states and territories along with raids in Ireland, Italy, Sweden and Canada.

At least 50 alleged offenders have already been charged.

Records filed with the corporate watchdog show Sauer has been director of several companies including two wine-related businesses. He was also believed to have recently been a Northpoint Toyota car sales representative.

Australian Securities and ­Investments Commission documents lists him at various addresses across Adelaide.

His Unley Park-based parents have been left surprised by their son’s arrest but declined further comment at their inner southern suburbs home.

Originally published as Adelaide man Jack Sauer, 33, charged with trafficking after AFP ‘Ghost’ app bust