Operation Ironside: Victorian Comancheros named after being arrested in AN0M police sting

These are the members of the Victorian Comancheros bikie gang who have been arrested as part of the global AN0M police sting.

A list of the Victorian Comanchero bikie gang arrested in the sting of the century, including Sergeant-at-Arms Christian Taumefolau, has been revealed.

Victoria Police arrested 17 people linked to the bikie gang this week based on information gleaned from the Australian Federal Police’s Operation Ironside.

For almost three years, the AFP and FBI have 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.

The raids were conducted across Melbourne, including arrests in Thornhill Park, near Melton, Thomastown, Greenvale, Tottenham and Mickleham.

There were also arrests in the southeast at Narre Warren, Cranbourne West, and Hampton Park, as well as Meadow Heights, Dallas, Niddrie, Craigieburn, Sunshine North, Gisborne, Templestowe Lower and Buninyong.

Here’s the list of those charged:

Christian Taumefolau

The Comanchero sergeant-at-arms was the highest profile Victorian scalp for the Australian Federal Police’s Operation Ironside. The 31-year-old was arrested at Thornhill Park, a new estate near Melton in Melbourne’s outer north west. Video footage was released by police from that location. His arrest because of his seniority in the group was expected to significantly disrupt the Comanchero operation. He was charged with two counts of trafficking a large commercial quantity of a drug of dependence.

Comanchero Christian Taumefolau. Source: Facebook

Eren Kaya

The high-ranking Comanchero member, 28, was arrested in Thomastown and charged with possessing a trafficable quantity of firearms.

Talha Arslan

The 23-year-old Greenvale man was charged with four counts of dealing with the proceeds of crime.

George Afeaki

The 26-year-old Tottenham man was charged with trafficking a large commercial quantity of a drug of dependence, trafficking a drug of dependence and handling stolen goods.

Falgofie Tufuga

The 24-year-old Mickleham man was charged with trafficking a large commercial quantity of a drug of dependence.

The AFP and FBI worked on Operation Ironside for almost three years. Picture: AFP

Patrick O’Kelly

The 31-year-old Narre Warren man was charged with trafficking a large commercial quantity of a drug of dependence.

Joshuan Brennan

The 30-year-old Cranbourne West man was 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.

Luke Jolly-Bishop

The 27-year-old Hampton Park man was 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.

Chihat Yilmaz

The 24-year-old Meadow Heights man was charged with trafficking a drug of dependence, possession of a drug of dependence and possessing the proceeds of crime.

The AFP and FBI secretly worked together on an encrypted platform known as AN0M to undo organised crime gangs. Picture: AFP

Soner Akkus

The 30-year-old Dallas man was charged with trafficking a large commercial quantity of a drug of dependence.

George Kamvissis

The 30-year-old Niddrie man was charged with two counts of trafficking a large commercial quantity of a drug of dependence.

Others charged include:

A 24-year-old Craigieburn man was charged with trafficking a large commercial quantity of a drug of dependence.

A 19-year-old Sunshine North man was charged with possession a drug of dependence and theft of a motor vehicle.

A 43-year-old Gisborne man was charged with trafficking a large commercial quantity of a drug of dependence, possessing ammunition, and possessing a controlled weapon.

A Templestowe Lower man was charged with trafficking a large commercial quantity of a drug of dependence, trafficking a drug of dependence, three counts of possessing a drug of dependence and two counts of possessing proceeds of crime.

A 30-year-old Buninyong man was charged with trafficking a large commercial quantity of a drug of dependence

A 25-year-old Glenroy man was charged with three counts of trafficking a large commercial quantity of a drug of dependence, trafficking a commercial quantity of drug of dependence, seven counts of dealing with the proceeds of crime, firearms and other offences.

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Originally published as Operation Ironside: Victorian Comancheros named after being arrested in AN0M police sting