AFP puts crims on notice after AN0M sting

The Australian Federal Police caught hundreds of criminals through its encrypted messaging bust and now it’s vowing to unleash “maximum damage” on the underworld.

The Australian Federal Police is pursuing serious criminal convictions against 340 alleged crooks netted in the largest operation in the force’s 40-year history.

Operation Ironside made worldwide headlines after almost 1000 alleged criminals across the globe were caught out by AN0M, an encrypted messaging platform used by organised criminals and secretly controlled by the FBI.

In Australia, the operation has so far netted 340 alleged crooks, who are facing 1011 charges.

More than 6.3 tonnes of drugs and 141 weapons have been seized across the country.

Fifty-eight alleged criminals are based in Victoria and have been slapped with 174 offences. About 1.1 tonnes of drugs and 38 weapons were seized across the state in addition to $20m in suspected proceeds of crime.

Victoria came third to South Australia and NSW for the highest number of arrests, with 113 and 83 people charged in each state, respectively.

AFP warned the arrests will continue in 2022, with 160 targets already in the firing line for a second phase of Operation Ironside.

Southern Command Assistant Commissioner Krissy Barrett says the AFP will unleash maximum damage on the criminal underworld. Picture: Sarah Matray

They include members of outlaw motorcycle gangs, Italian organised crime, illicit drug distributors and trusted insiders who help move drugs including workers at airports, ports and transport companies.

Other facilitators, such as lawyers and rubbish removal companies that have been identified collecting drugs stashed in rubbish bins at maritime ports, are also facing imminent arrest.

Operation Ironside was the biggest operation of 2021 – but there were plenty of other big stings.

In Victoria, AFP charged a total of 133 offenders with 457 Commonwealth offences, as well as seizing 6.3 tonnes of illicit drugs. Some of the biggest operations targeted cybercriminals, human traffickers and child sex offenders.

Southern Command Assistant Commissioner Krissy Barrett said the AFP would continue to unleash “maximum damage” on the criminal underworld.

“There are transnational serious organised criminals who are offshore and organise and direct criminal activity in Victoria,” Ms Barrett said.

“Being offshore will not prevent the long arm of the AFP and our partners from disrupting their criminal networks offshore or in Victoria.

“The AFP is posted in 33 countries and our law enforcement networks are working together to target crime bosses who think they are untouchable.”