AN0M arrests in Operation Ironside not over as AFP continue to search for fugitives

The AFP and FBI are honing in on the covert movements of fugitive Hakan Ayik, who unknowingly introduced the AN0M app to key underworld figures, as they seize more drugs and cash.

Exclusive: It was dubbed the “sting of the century” and, two years on, Operation Ironside is continuing to wreak havoc on Australia’s underworld.

New figures show the joint Australian Federal Police and US Federal Bureau of Investigations operation – which used the Trojan horse app AN0M to read real time communications between alleged drug dealers and criminals – has so far led to 390 Australians arrests, 6655kg of narcotics seized, as well as the confiscation of $55.6 million in cash and 1659 firearms and devices.

Authorities are also honing in on the covert movements of fugitive Hakan Ayik, who unknowingly introduced the app to key underworld figures around the world.

Accused Sydney drug lord Hakan Ayik.

The bulky-framed suspected organised crime boss owns the Kings Cross Hotel in Istanbul, Turkey, that operates as the headquarters of the Aussie Cartel – a group of alleged Australian drug smugglers and gangsters with links to the Comanchero bikie gang.

“He’s still a primary target and is still prominent within the underworld. He’s on our radar, we have not taken our eyes off him … it’s just a question of time,” a senior investigator said.

Globally, Operation Ironside – which was exclusively revealed by this website on June 8, 2021, has led to more than 993 arrests in 18 countries netting suspects in Australia, Asia, Europe, South America and the Middle East, with a staggering 53 tons of drugs seized, as well as $A87m ($US58m) in cash and cryptocurrency.

Across NSW, 119 suspected members of organised crime gangs have been arrested, with $23.3m in cash seized, along with 2069kg of drugs and 43 weapons.

South Australia has seen 115 arrests, $1.9m in cash seized, and 2223kg of drugs and 10 weapons confiscated.

A series of meth imports into Australia in 2020 were uncovered by the AFP's Operation Ironside.

Some cash seized through Operation Ironside intelligence. Picture: Australian Federal Police

In Queensland, 49 suspected members of organised crime gangs have been arrested, and $805,000 in cash has been seized, along with 982kg of drugs and seven weapons.

Victoria counts to date 73 arrests, $20.3m in cash seized, along with 1309kg of drugs and 37 weapons.

In Western Australia, 34 suspected members of organised crime gangs have been arrested, and $9.1m in cash seized, along with 72kg of drugs and 31 weapons.

“Operation Ironside has been a huge collaborative success and shows the sustained nature of what we do in the battle against crime, criminality and organised crime – just staying in the fight with grim determination to attack at its source shows we can cause the most damage to the high harm actors,” said AFP assistant commissioner David McLean, regional commander with overall responsibility for Europe, Africa and Middle East.

Former Sydney man Osemah El Hassen, a relative of Lebanese-based Hamzi El Hassen, an associate of Ayik, is in custody in the US after he was arrested in Bogota on an indictment alleging he formed part of a 17-man criminal enterprise running AN0M.

Osemah Elhassens. Picture: Supplied

Edwin Harmendra Kumar. Picture: Facebook

In October 2022, Shane Ngakuru, who has links to Australia and was living in Bangkok operating a tattoo parlour, was handed over to the US authorities to face charges of his involvement in an international drug sting.

And in April this year, Edwin Harmendra Kumar, 35, of Sydney – who spent almost two years in custody – was extradited to the US to face racketeering charges relating to the AN0M sting.

The AN0M app on the screen of a smartphone in 2021. Picture: AFP

Other Australians and associates of Ayik hiding out in Turkey are Baris Tukel, an ex-Comanchero sergeant-at-arms, accused by the FBI of being involved in running the AN0M app.

Seven Australians were among the 17 men alleged to have been part of what the FBI dubbed the AN0M Enterprise, and are wanted on indictment alleging they were either administrators, distributors, or influencers who encouraged others to use the app.

“Operation Ironside is not over, it has spawned new lines of investigation which are ongoing,” Asst Comm McLean said.

Originally published as AN0M arrests in Operation Ironside not over as AFP continue to search for fugitives