AN0M one year on: The alleged Sydney crims battling their way through courts

It’s been one year since Operation Ironside smashed drug rings around the world. What has happened to Sydney’s alleged underworld figures snared by AN0M?

Dead, in rehab or fighting charges in the courts — what has happened to Sydney’s alleged underworld figures one year after they were snared by AN0M, a fake encrypted app operated by global police?

The Australian Federal Police, in June 2021, announced historic global raids had picked up hundreds of accused Australians, including dozens allegedly tied to Sydney’s booming and resilient drug syndicates.

The users had, unwittingly, given law enforcement a front-row seat to their most secretive plans by installing AN0M, police say, which they mistakenly believed was an encrypted messaging app.

Police allege they watched silently as plans to import and distribute enormous quantities of drugs were discussed in messages between hundreds of users from multiple syndicates.

Since then, some of those arrested have pleaded guilty and begun serving time in prison, others continue to fight the charges, some have had charges dropped, and others have met more unusual fates.

Ashley Rake (l to r), George Chambour and Matthew Douet are all out on bail.

Ashley Charles Rake

Police allege Rake, an alleged Comanchero associate, amassed a fortune in luxury items in his Vaucluse apartment, including a Lamborghini Huracan and Rolex watches, using dodgy loans.

They claim his “unexplained wealth” was the result of Rake’s role in a cocaine and meth dealing syndicate in the city’s east.

He was charged with drug supply, proceeds of crime and being part of a criminal group.

Rake denies their charges and remains on $2 million bail.

George Chambour

An accused drug dealer who is charged with conspiring to traffic a commercial quantity of meth across NSW and dealing with the proceeds of crime.

The drugs were allegedly found in a tow truck on the Central Coast and in a Seven Hills warehouse.

He has since been bailed on $5 million surety and some of the strictest conditions a court can hand out, as he continues to fight the charges.

Matthew Douet

Police allege Douet is the secretary of the Comanchero south coast chapter, and was arrested alongside other alleged members of a cocaine syndicate in the Illawarra.

They claimed Douet used the handle “Glen20” to sling coke.

Last week The Daily Telegraph revealed he was bailed to kick his own habits in a beachside rehab and holiday accommodation while facing drug supply charges.

He denies the charges.

Wen being arrested after police alleged she was handling cash and drugs for a drug syndicate. Picture: Supplied

Mingyue Wen

Wen, a 32-year-old university educated migrant with no prior charges, was arrested after police alleged she handled money and drugs in connection with a Comanchero cocaine syndicate.

Wen allegedly picked up bags containing $50,000 in a Newtown alleyway and stashed 1.5kg of meth under a Santa Claus costume in her home.

She confessed to drug trafficking and, in May, was sentenced to three years and six months behind bars, with a non-parole period of two years and two months.

She will likely be released in 2023.

Police have alleged multiple AN0M syndicates were linked to OMCGs, including Comanchero and Lone Wolf.

Clarke Rogers

The 36-year-old was charged with aiding an attempt to import a huge amount of meth into Sydney with the help of Port Botany employees.

Rogers did not use AN0M but others in his alleged syndicate did, and effectively exposed their plots to the AFP.

But Rogers died unexpectedly while awaiting trial and the charges, which were “not strong” according to a magistrate, were dropped.

Elias Elchaar

The alleged national sergeant-at-arms of the Lone Wolf outlaw motorcycle gang was accused of being linked to an $8m meth syndicate that was shipping its deadly product to Perth.

He was initially charged with directing a criminal organisation, that has now been withdrawn and he is facing a charge of conspiring to deal with more than $1 million of the proceeds of crime.

Alleged AN0M syndicate associate Astro Waetford. Picture: Supplied

The Dnata Boys

Six men connected to a Sydney Airport ground handling company, Dnata, were initially charged with aiding or associating with a syndicate which was trying to import methamphetamine.

Among them was Astro Waetford, a rugby player and the uncle of pop singer Jai Waetford, who is not connected to the case.

Waetford’s charge of supporting a criminal organisation will be withdrawn and he will face one charge of conspiring to commit an offence.

The Dnata boys are contesting the charges.

Originally published as AN0M one year on: The alleged Sydney crims battling their way through courts