One year on from Operation Ironside: Full list of everyone charged

One year on from the sting of the century, more than 40 accused Victorian gunslingers, drug traffickers and bikies remain before the courts.

One year on from the sting of the century, dubbed Operation Ironside, more than 40 accused Victorian gunslingers, drug traffickers and bikies remain before Melbourne courts.

For almost three years, the AFP and FBI secretly worked together on an encrypted platform known as AN0M, which was run by law enforcement, allowing them to decrypt and read communications in real time.

A total of 44 accused Victorian men and women swept up in the global sting are yet to have their matters finalised, with the vast majority due to face court again in August.

Among those awaiting their next day in court is Comanchero Sergeant at Arms, Christian Taumefolau, who is charged with two counts of trafficking a large commercial quantity of drugs and has been remanded behind bars since his arrest in June last year.

High-ranking Comanchero, Eren Kaya, also remains in custody after raids on his Thomastown home saw him charged with possessing a traffickable quantity of firearms.

Magistrate Simon Zebrowski has been tasked with overseeing all the Operation Ironside matters at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court.

Here is the full list of the Victorians accused as part of Operation Ironside:

Comancheros Christian Taumoefolau (left) and Luke Jolly-Bishop are both in custody.

George AFEAKI

charged with trafficking a large commercial quantity of a drug of dependence, trafficking a drug of dependence and handling stolen goods. Afeaki remains behind bars and will return to court for a further committal mention on August 19, 2022.

Soner AKKUS

Charged with trafficking a large commercial quantity of a drug of dependence and will return to court for a further committal mention on August 19. 2022. Akkus’ lawyers previously argued for his bail curfew to be lifted for one night so he could celebrate his 31st birthday.

Youssef ALATEYEH

Charged with attempting to possess a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug. Alateyeh remains behind bars and will return to court for a further committal mention on August 19, 2022.

Abdullah ARSLAN

Charged with dealing with more than $1.24 million in cash suspected to be proceeds of crime. Arslan is also charged with trafficking a drug of dependence and remains behind bars to return to court for a further committal mention on August 19, 2022.

Sebastian BEZBORODOFF

Charged with conspiring to import a commercial quantity of border controlled drugs and trafficking a commercial quantity of ice and possessing an imitation firearm. Bezborodoff, who is represented by high-profile barrister Ruth Parker, remains behind bars after his bail app was rejected and will return to court for a further committal mention on August 19, 2022.

Some of the cocaine seized by the AFP as part of Operation Ironside.

Michael BITSAYA

Charged with drug trafficking and dealing with cash suspected of being proceeds of crime. Bitsaya is on bail and will return to court for a further committal mention on August 19, 2022.

Joshua BRENNAN

Charged with trafficking a large commercial quantity of a drug of dependence, trafficking a drug of dependence, three counts of possessing the proceeds of crime, and drug possession. Brennan remains behind bars and will return to court for a further committal mention on August 19, 2022.

Leslie CAIN

Charged with assisting an offender to import a commercial quantity of cocaine. Cain is on bail and will return to court for a further committal mention on August 19, 2022.

Edward CANNOBBIO

Charged with attempting to possess a commercial quantity of cocaine. Cannobbio is on bail and will return to court for a further committal mention on August 19, 2022.

Ryan CRAWFORD

Charged with trafficking a large commercial quantity of cocaine, his high-profile lawyer Damian Sheales is pushing for his client to have his matter heard separately from others charged, arguing Crawford’s home was used as a safe house for only a short period and he never used ANOM app. He will return to court for a further committal mention on August 19, 2022.

Houng Quynh DAO

Charged with dealing with about $1.8 million in AUD suspected to be proceeds of crime.

Omar DIB

Charged with two counts of conspiring to import a commercial quantity of border controlled drugs. Dib is on bail and will return to court for a further committal mention on August 19, 2022.

Omar Dib is charged with conspiring to import a commercial quantity of border controlled drugs

Ross FINNIGAN

Charged with trafficking a large commercial quantity of cocaine and MDMA and possessing a firearm and knuckle dusters without a licence. Finnigan is on bail, which was varied so he could attend Narcotics Anonymous while he awaits his further committal mention on August 19, 2022.

Xavier GAVIN

Charged with trafficking a large commercial quantity of cocaine, ecstasy and ketamine and possessing four gold bullions suspected to be proceeds of crime. Gavin will return to court for a further committal mention on August 19, 2022.

Baris GOKTAS

Charged with dealing with more than $6 million in proceeds of crime and trafficking a large commercial quantity of drugs. Goktas, who is represented by experienced criminal barrister Damien Hannan, remains behind bars and will return to court for a further committal mention on August 19, 2022.

Umut GOKTAS

Charged with dealing with about $1.5 million in proceeds of crime and possessing drug making equipment. The court heard earlier this year Goktas had made a plea offer to prosecutors.

Emiljan HAMATAJ

Charged with possessing a marketable quantity of cocaine, cultivating cannabis plants and dealing with proceeds of crime. Hamataj will return to court for a further committal mention on August 19, 2022.

Mark JOANNOU

Charged with conspiring to import a commercial quantity of border controlled drugs and trafficking a commercial quantity of ice and cocaine. Joannou is on bail and will return to court for a further committal mention on August 19, 2022.

Luke JOLLY-BISHOP

Charged with trafficking a large commercial quantity of a drug of dependence, three counts of trafficking drug of dependence, and possession of proceeds of crime. Jolly-Bishop remains behind bars ahead of a further committal mention on August 19, 2022.

Police make an arrest at a Sydenham home. Picture: Victoria Police

Police arrive to make an arrest for Operation Ironside in Sydenham. Picture: Victoria Police

George KAMVISSIS

Charged with trafficking a large commercial quantity of ice and cocaine and dealing with proceeds of crime. Kamvissis remains behind bars ahead of a further committal mention on August 19, 2022.

Joe KASALO

Charged with conspiring to import a commercial quantity of border controlled drugs and trafficking a commercial quantity of ice. Kasalo is on bail and will return to court for a further committal mention on August 19, 2022.

Kaya EREN

Charged with possessing a trafficable quantity of firearms. The high-ranking Comanchero remains behind bars and will return to court for a further committal mention on August 19, 2022.

Graeme LENCH

Charged with trafficking a large commercial quantity of MDMA and dealing with almost $25,000 in proceeds of crime. Lench is on bail and will return to court for a further committal mention on August 19, 2022.

Steven LENCH

Charged with trafficking a large commercial quantity of ecstasy. Lench is on bail and will return to court for a further committal mention on August 19, 2022.

Raymond MATHER

Charged with dealing with almost $1.5 million cash in proceeds of crime. Mather is on bail and will return to court for a further committal mention on August 19, 2022.

Tevita OFAHENGAUE

Charged with firearm possession, trafficking a large commercial quantity of ice and cocaine and dealing with proceeds of crime. Ofahengaue will return to court for a further committal mention on August 19, 2022.

Patrick O’KELLY

Charged with trafficking a large commercial quantity of cocaine. O’Kelly, who is remanded in custody, will return to court for a further committal mention on August 19, 2022.

Sinan OZBEK

Charged with dealing with proceeds of crime, namely more than $50,000 cash. Lawyers for Ozbek previously flagged the matter had resolved and they would apply for the case to be kept in the Magistrates court where maximum penalties are lower.

Kayla Rezuk.

Kayla REZUK

Charged with trafficking a large commercial quantity of ice and a commercial quantity of 1.4 Butanediol. The former yoga teacher is also charged with dealing in excess of $6 million in proceeds of crime. Rezuk is on bail and will return to court for a further committal mention on August 19, 2022.

Robin REFFO

Charged with conspiring to import a commercial quantity of border controlled drugs and trafficking a commercial quantity of ice and cocaine, trafficking a commercial quantity of ice and dealing with proceeds of crime. Reffo is on bail and will return to court for a further committal mention on August 19, 2022.

Jaiden RUSSELL

Charged with attempting to possess a commercial quantity of cocaine. Russell, who is represented by barrister Christopher Farrington, will return to court for a further committal mention on August 19, 2022.

Joe Scordo was bailed to front court in August.

Joe SCORDO

Charged with conspiring to import a commercial quantity of border controlled drugs and trafficking a commercial quantity of ice and cocaine. Scordo is on bail and will return to court for a further committal mention on August 19, 2022.

Daniel SEQUENZIA

Charged with trafficking a commercial quantity of cocaine, trafficking “an unknown drug of dependence”, dealing with cash being proceeds of crime and refusing to hand over his device password. From Essendon, the 43-year-old is on bail and returns to court for a committal mention on August 19, 2022.

Paul STRANGIO

Charged with trafficking cocaine and dealing with proceeds of crime of $10k or more on June 7, 2021. From Westmeadows, the 32-year-old, on bail, returns to court for a committal mention on August 19, 2022.

Christian TAUMOEFOLAU

Charged with trafficking a commercial quantity of methamphetamines and cocaine between January 3 and January 7, 2021. The Thornhill Park man, 32, is in custody and returns to court for a committal mention on August 19, 2022.

Comanchero Sergeant at Arms Christian Taumoefolau. Picture: Ian Currie

James THEODORIDIS

Charged with importing a commercial quantity of cocaine and attempting to possess a commercial quantity of cocaine. The 30-year-old, from Port Melbourne, returns to court for a committal mention on August 19, 2022.

Steven Daniel TIBURCY

Charged with trafficking a commercial quantity of a drug of dependence, of MDMA, of cocaine, of ice, of ketamine, possessing a tablet press, possessing cartridges of ammunition without a licence, possessing prohibited weapons including an ASP baton and three extendible batons. The Gisborne man, 44, is in custody and returns to court for a committal mention on August 19, 2022

Muhammed TOPAL

Facing 21 charges, including trafficking a commercial quantity of cocaine and ice, dealing with the proceeds of crime in cash of more than $2.5m, possessing handguns and ammunition, failing to give passwords to devices. The Glenroy man, 26, is in custody and will return to court for a committal mention on August 19, 2022.

Tuan TRAN

Charged with money laundering and five counts of dealing with cash that was or was suspected of being the proceeds of crime, at a value of at least $840k. The Richmond man, 49, was bailed and will return to court for a committal hearing on charges laid by the Criminal Proceeds Squad on August 30, 2022.

Faigofie Jonathan TUFUGA

Charged with trafficking a commercial quantity of methamphetamines, trafficking cocaine, dealing with cash being the proceeds of crime and trafficking drugs while on bail. The Mickleham man, 25, returns to court for a committal mention on August 19, 2022.

Chris VELJANOVSKI

The Taylors Hill man, 45, was charged with dealing with proceeds of crime worth more than $100k. Unclear when he next returns to court.

Dale David WILLIAMS

Charged with importing 288.9kg of methamphetamine on June 4, 2020. The 39-year-old faces a County Court sentence indication hearing on June 14, 2022.

Cihat YILMAZ

Charged with trafficking and possessing cocaine, dealing with proceeds of crime being cash and failing to give up the password of his iPhone to police. The Meadow Heights man, 25, will return to court for a further committal mention on August 19, 2022.

Danny ZAYNEH

Faces two charges of conspiring with others to import a commercial quantity of methamphetamines and cocaine between March 31 and June 7, 2021. Zayneh, who is represented by lawyer Dr Eamonn Kelly, is behind bars and will return to court for a further committal mention on August 19, 2022.