AN0M syndicate’s bragging over alleged drug scam revealed

An alleged drug syndicate bragged about the success of their import dry run on the AN0M app in secret messages exposed by police.

Secret messages exposed a syndicate’s alleged drug dry run into Melbourne and their excitement that they would bring 1.6 tonnes of ice and cocaine to the city.

Detectives assigned to Australian Federal Police’s sprawling Ironside investigation were watching as the men allegedly used the AN0M app to plot the $1 billion drug shipments from Los Angeles and India, excitement and tension building as plans took shape.

But there was also talk of bashings and how those who control the cartel they are dealing with would be prepared to “knock”, a potential reference to murder, if things went awry.

Court documents exclusively obtained by the Sunday Herald Sun allege the dry-run, using tyre rims as a test cargo, arrived in April.

One of the accused, 46-year-old Seabrook man Sebastian Bezborodoff, is alleged to have photographed the shipment to show his bosses to see if it had been inspected by police.

The consignment’s destination was alleged to be International Motor Cars, a West Sunshine auto business run by another accused syndicate member, Joe Scordo.

The documents allege Mr Scordo, of Deer Park, had been connected with others in the group by Sydenham man Mark Joannou, known as “Wolf” and who logged in to AN0M as “foursand”.

Among them were alleged syndicate leader Danny Zayneh, who was known as “usefulmix” and “dark” on the app and was liaising with overseas members of a major Mexican cartel.

On April 30, after allegedly viewing pictures showing the cargo had not been interfered with, Mr Zayneh wrote in their group chat on AN0M: “OK perfect. Good job everyone. Dry run successful. Will go live July 1st.”

Mr Zayneh was also in contact with Werribee kickboxer Omar Dib, another of the men later charged, about importing the real thing.

They had earlier had the following exchange after the dry-run consignment arrived and consideration was being given about whether it had been tampered with.

Mr Dib wrote: “Looks untouched which is good.”

Mr Zayneh replied: “Yeh bro looking good.”

Mr Dib: “Next step inspect and unpack.”

Mr Zayneh: “Yeah that’s it.”

The AFP alleges Mr Dib, who went by the user ID “keepdeath” on AN0M and was also known as “anarchy”, was to receive 25kg of the July shipment for his own distribution.

It is alleged another 600kg shipment, this time of cocaine which was referred to in messages as “booba”, was planned for later.

One of Mr Dib’s mates from Werribee, carpenter Robin Reffo, had purported to be the recipient of the tyre rims under the name of “George”.

He was allegedly also to receive 25kg of the first shipment to sell.

On May 28, Mr Zayneh allegedly messaged and said: “July we go live!!!!! We r live!!”

“Lol yeahhhhh baby Ittssss timmmmmeeee,” Mr Dib responded.

Robin Reffo.

Auto business operator Joe Scordo.

Mr Joannou could allegedly see big dollar signs ahead.

In one message he tells Mr Zayneh that the price of methamphetamine had risen by $50,000 per kilogram.

“That’s good for us. Hopefully still high when we lan[d],” Mr Zayneh responded.

Mr Reffo was equally enthusiastic when discussing their activities with Mr Zayneh.

Mr Reffo wrote: “I’m all in brother can’t wait. Hahahaha, we will all get a good earn.”

Mr Zayneh replied: “F--- yeh brother, lol. Love your enthusiasm.”

“Hahahahahaha got to bro were a team and gunna kill it this year all in together,” Reffo then said.

But there are indications things were not always so smooth.

Mr Zayneh allegedly becomes agitated at one stage when he can’t reach some syndicate members, saying someone would be bashed and outlining expectations on himself from the “cartel”.

“They will f---ing knock if I’m not on the ball,” he told Mr Joannou.

“I’m here trying to organise a f---ing land and both these retards haven’t been on their fones (sic) for 2 days.

“Don’t get upset with me but I’m sending sum1 today and whoever my guy grabs a hold off is getting bashed.”

At one stage, a man described in the court documents, as the “offshore facilitator” messages Mr Zayneh.

Omar Dib.

“The 600kg is ready in Mex. It needs around a week time to get to LA,” the facilitator wrote.

The documents also allege never-before-reported details of the India importation plot, and the alleged involvement of Taylors Lakes businessman, Jose Kasalo.

Mr Kasalo had allegedly agreed to import methamphetamine from India — under the guise of being oil filters — with Mr Zayneh in October this year.

It is the prosecution case that Mr Kasalo’s company First Choice Parts was to be the consignee for 400kg of the drug, with him to score a 20 per cent commission.

In a conversation with Mr Zayneh, Mr Kasalo allegedly says: “I’ll only do one and I’m hating myself for that, I cannot do more than one and that’s all that we agreed on bro.”

“Let’s get this one done and make u a rich man,” Mr Zayneh allegedly replied.

On June 2, huge potential profits were again at the forefront in messaging between Mr Zayneh and Mr Dib.

Mr Zayneh: “I wona f--n land 3-4 this year!!! We have to. Worlds f---ed. No choice. And

f--n 6 next year minimum. Need to make 10 million by end next year latest.”

Mr Dib: “You f-n monster! Hahahaha love it.”

Five days later, Ironside detectives made their move, arresting the syndicate members and hundreds of others worldwide in a massive global police operation.

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