Operation Ironside: Durim Krasniqi, who allegedly went by AN0M handle ‘MoneyMaker’, refused bail on drug trafficking offences

A man who allegedly went by ‘MoneyMaker’ on the AN0M app has been refused bail on charges of trafficking a kilo of ice in a Bunnings carpark.

An AN0M accused who allegedly went by the moniker ‘MoneyMaker’ has been refused bail after the Magistrates Court heard allegations he had trafficked a kilo of methamphetamine during the day in Bunnings carpark.

Durim Krasniqi, 32, is also accused of sending 2kg of methamphetamine through the mail after sending messages implying he had done the same thing numerous times before.

On Friday, Michael Abbott QC, for Mr Krasniqi, asked Magistrate John Wells to release his client on home detention bail.

A representative for the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions opposed the application.

Durim Krasniqi arrested during Operation Ironside and is facing charges of trafficking in a commercial quantity of a controlled drug.

She told the court Mr Krasniqi was alleged to be a “leading figure in a group trafficking large amounts of drugs which extended as far as Perth”.

“The offending was brazen,” she said. “The first charge relates to two kilos of methamphetamine being sent openly via the post and the second involves the handing over of one kilo of methamphetamine in the middle of the day in a public place.

“There is a significant risk of reoffending, even knowing the first parcel of methamphetamine had not reached his destination, Mr Krasniqi was not deterred.”

The court heard Mr Krasniqi had allegedly handed over a kilogram of methamphetamine in a Bunnings carpark in April this year.

The total value of the drugs was between $500,000 and $900,000.

The court heard allegations an AN0M account the prosecutor said was linked to Mr Krasniqi had been sending messages to his co-accused, Shivakumar Nagaraju, 35, about the sale of drugs.

$1.8 million cash seized during Operation Ironside South Australian arrests. Picture: NCA Brenton Edwards

“It is likely from the messaging that there were many more instances of successful dealing involving the mail,” she said.

“When discussing the parcel being sent to Perth and its failed delivery, Mr Krasniqi said, ‘I’ve done sh*tloads bro, if this be done, it will literally be the first ever, I’ve done heaps to the same address”.

Mr Krasniqi was allegedly found to be in possession of an AN0M-enabled device when he was arrested on June.

But that account was not directly linked to “MoneyMaker”, the account that sent the most messages related to the alleged trafficking of drugs.

Instead, the phone was linked to an account named “Hayfasters”.

The prosecutor told the court when the “Hayfasters” account had been enabled multiple messages were sent saying “hey, it’s Money, this is my new account”.

The two accounts also shared a common emoji, a face with dollar signs for eyes.

Mr Abbott said the case against his client was “hearsay upon hearsay” and was based on assumptions that Mr Krasniqi was in control of the “MoneyMaker” account.

He said Mr Krasniqi ought be released on home detention to care for his family who had offered to put up cash sureties to ensure his release.

“We do not know the strength of the prosecution case, the Ironside warrants have yet to be tested,” he said.

“What we are dealing with is material which would not see the light of day in any trial.”

Mr Wells refused bail because of the gravity of the offending and the risk of reoffending.

Originally published as Operation Ironside: Durim Krasniqi, who allegedly went by AN0M handle ‘MoneyMaker’, refused bail on drug trafficking offences