AN0M one year on: Where are they now?

A little over one year after the AN0M ‘sting of the century’ smashed drug rings around the world, here’s what’s happened to the alleged Queensland underworld figures snared in the operation.

One year on from the largest drug bust Australia has ever seen, alleged underworld criminals are still filtering through our court system.

The Australian Federal Police Operation Ironside caught hundreds of Australians accused of breaking the law - many allegedly dealing drugs and weapons, and some even allegedly involved in serious organised crime.

The list below reveals where the Queensland individuals swept up in Operation Ironside are now, while some may have been slapped with other charges since the Federal Police swooped in.

They include six who have been sentenced - receiving fines and suspended jail sentences and one who pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing.

The AN0M accused - where are they now? Read on

There are 16 - many of whom are facing the most serious charges - whose cases are still progressing through the court system.

Benjamin Joseph Haylock, 42 of Mermaid Waters, is a crane operator who allegedly trafficked drugs and firearms as a part of the alleged Brisbane crime syndicate charged through the Australian Federal Police’s “sting of the century” crackdown.

His case is listed for mention this month.

Rich young Brisbane house flipper turned alleged drug kingpin Christopher John Spurling - is also awaiting mention of his case later this year.

He is accused of hiring a Bachelorette contestant to drive $660,000 worth of cocaine 1000km to Queensland, court documents reveal with police alleging he was a high-level wholesale drug trafficker.

IRONSIDE ACCUSED ALREADY SENTENCED

Casey Mark Smales, 25, Mount Sheridan

CHARGES: 1x possessing dangerous drugs schedule 1 drug quantity of or exceeding schedule 3 but less than schedule 4,

2x possessing dangerous drugs,

1x possess utensils or pipes etc that had been used

COURT OUTCOME: Pleaded guilty 24/2/2002, Southport Magistrates Court

3 month’s imprisonment, suspended for an operational period of 18 months; driver’s license disqualified 2 years; 6 months’ probation

No evidence to offer charges 2 and 4

Alex Ryan Townsend, 30, The Gap

CHARGES: 1x possessing dangerous drugs,

1x possessing/acquiring restricted items,

1x possess utensils or pipes etc that had been used,

1x unlawful possession of weapons category A, B or M

COURT OUTCOME: Pleaded guilty to all charges 29/6/2021 in Brisbane Magistrates Court

$900 fine, forfeiture of drugs, drug-related property and weapons

Reece Thomas Punter, 32, Kippa Ring

CHARGES: 1x possessing dangerous drugs,

1x possess utensils or pipes etc that had been used

COURT OUTCOME: Pleaded guilty 18/6/2021 in Redcliffe Magistrates Court

$700 fine, forfeit drug-related products

Shane Daniel Meeuwssen, 29, Palm Beach

CHARGES: 1x possessing dangerous drugs,

1x possess property suspected of having been used in connection with the commission of a drug offence,

4x unlawful possession of restricted drugs

COURT OUTCOME: Pleaded guilty 22/10/2021 in Coolangatta Magistrates Court

Forfeit property; $500 recognisance and 5 months’ good behaviour

No evidence to offer charges 3-6

Duc Thang Truong, 37, Upper Mount Gravatt

CHARGES: 1x possessing dangerous drugs

COURT OUTCOME: Pleaded guilty 19/7/2021 in Brisbane Magistrates Court

$600 fine

Grahame William Rowe, 40, Goodna

CHARGES: 1x trafficking in dangerous drugs,

1x possessing dangerous drugs schedule 2 drug quality of or exceeding schedule 3,

1x receiving or possessing property obtained from trafficking or supplying,

1x possessing anything used in the commission of crime defined in part 2,

1x manufacture, sale, supply, obtaining or possession of gaming machines

COURT OUTCOME: Pleaded guilty 31/5/2022 in Brisbane District Court

3 years’ imprisonment, suspended after serving 5 months, serious drug offence certificate

convicted not punished for charges 1b and 2-C

Grahame William Rowe

IRONSIDE ACCUSED WHO HAVE PLEADED GUILTY

Richard Huynh, 37, Brisbane

CHARGES: 1x possessing dangerous drugs schedule 1 drug quantity of or exceeding schedule 3 but less than schedule 4,

4x possess dangerous drug specified in schedule 1 or 2,

1x contravening order about information necessary to access information stored electronically, 2x possessing anything for use in the commission of crime defined in part 2

STATUS: Pleaded guilty to all 8 charges on 3/5/2022.

Listed for sentencing 12/8/2022, Brisbane Supreme Court.

Richard Huynh leaving the Brisbane Watchhouse. Photographer: Liam Kidston.

IRONSIDE ACCUSED WHO HAVE ACTIVE CASES

Sione Havea Mahonri Afu, 32, Richlands

CHARGES: 1x attempt to commit offence possessing dangerous drugs schedule 1 drug quantity of or exceeding schedule 4

CURRENT STATUS: Listed for 5-day trial commencing 28/11/2022, Brisbane Supreme Court

Mitchell David Arnold, 35, Woolloongabba /Ipswich

CHARGES: 5x unlawfully possess a relevant substance or thing,

3x possessing anything for use in the commission of crime defined in part 2,

1x producing dangerous drugs - serious organised crime,

2x possess property suspected of having been acquired for the purpose of committing a drug offence

CURRENT STATUS: Listed for mention 1/7/2022, Brisbane Magistrates Court

Joel Patrick Frank, 39, Ipswich

CHARGES: 1x unlawfully possess a relevant substance or thing,

1x possessing dangerous drugs schedule 1 drug quantity of or exceeding schedule 3 but less than schedule 4,

1x possessing dangerous drugs

CURRENT STATUS: Listed for mention 1/7/2022, Brisbane Magistrates Court

Cody Lee Ndebele, 29, Ipswich

CHARGES: 1x producing dangerous drugs - serious organised crime,

1x permitting use of place,

1x possessing anything for use in the commission of crime defined in part 2,

1x possessing dangerous drugs, 1x unlawfully possess a relevant substance or thing,

1x possessing dangerous drugs schedule 1 drug quantity of or exceeding schedule 3 but less than schedule 4

CURRENT STATUS: Listed for mention 2/9/2022, Brisbane Magistrates Court

Awais Ibad Ali, 34, Kuraby / Woolloongabba

CHARGES: 1x trafficking in dangerous drugs,

1x possessing dangerous drugs schedule 2 drug quantity of or exceeding schedule 3,

1x possessing anything for use in the commission of crime defined in part 2, possessing dangerous drugs schedule 1 drug quantity of or exceeding schedule 4,

1x possessing dangerous drugs,

1x possession of property suspected of being the proceeds of an offence under drugs misuse act,

8x obtain or deal with another entity’s identification information for purpose of committing, or facilitating commission of, an indictable offence,

1x possessing equipment for purpose of committing/ facilitating the commission of an offence against 480D(1),

1x contravening order about information necessary to access information stored electronically, 1x possess shortened firearms,

1x unlawful possession of weapons category A, B or M

CURRENT STATUS: Listed for mention 5/8/2022, Brisbane Magistrates Court

Jesse Dore, 38, Windsor / Ocean View / Beachmere

CHARGES: 1x producing dangerous drugs,

2x possessing dangerous drugs,

1x possessing dangerous drugs schedule 1 drug quantity of or exceeding schedule 4,

1x producing dangerous drugs schedule 2 drug quantity of or exceeding schedule 3,

1x possessing dangerous drugs schedule 2 drug quantity of or exceeding schedule 3,

2x possessing anything used in the commission of crime defined in part 2,

1x unlawfully possess a relevant substance or thing,

1x publishing or processing instructions for producing dangerous drugs,

1x possessing anything for use in the commission of crime defined in part 2,

1x possession of property suspected of being the proceeds of an offence under drugs misuse act,

2x possess utensils or pipes etc that had been used,

1x possess property suspected of having been used in connection with the commission of a drug offence,

1x unlawful possession of weapons category D/H/R weapon,

1x unlawful possession of weapons category C/E weapon, 1x possess shortened firearms,

1x authority required to possess explosives, 1, trafficking in dangerous drugs,

1x unlawful trafficking in weapons category H/R weapon category A/B/C/D/E or explosive

CURRENT STATUS: Listed for Committal 6/7/2022, Pine Rivers Magistrates Court

Benjamin Joseph Thornton, 32, Coorparoo / Carina Heights

CHARGES: 1x unlawful possession of motor vehicles, aircraft or vessels with intent to deprive,

2x trafficking in dangerous drugs

CURRENT STATUS: Listed for mention 5/8/2022, Brisbane Magistrates Court

Benjamin Joseph Thornton.

Sopiea Kong, 34, East Brisbane

CHARGES: 1x obtain or deal with another entity’s identification information for purpose of committing, or facilitating commission of, an indictable offence,

1x possess property suspected of having been used in connection with the commission of a drug offence,

1x possession of property suspected of being the proceeds of an offence under drugs misuse act,

1x possess property suspected of having been acquired for the purpose of committing a drug offence

CURRENT STATUS: Listed for mention 5/8/2022, Brisbane Magistrates Court

Ninja Warrior contestant Sopiea Kong, 28. Photographer: Liam Kidston.

Christopher John Spurling, 34, Albany Creek

CHARGES: 1x trafficking in dangerous drugs serious organised crime,

1x unlawful trafficking in weapons category H/R weapon category A/B/C/D/E or explosive,

1x possessing anything used in the commission of crime defined in part 2

CURRENT STATUS: Listed for mention on 2/9/2022, the Brisbane Magistrates Court

Cody John Albert Kirby, 34, Forest Lake

CHARGES: 1x trafficking in dangerous drugs serious organised crime,

1x producing dangerous drugs,

1x possessing dangerous drugs schedule 2 drug quantity of or exceeding schedule 3,

2x possessing dangerous drugs,

1x possession of property suspected of being the proceeds of an offence under drugs misuse act,

1x possess utensils or pipes that had been used,

1x authority for controlled drugs

CURRENT STATUS: Listed for mention on 2/9/2022, Brisbane Magistrates Court

Majok Majok Chol, 24, Woodridge

CHARGES: 1x possessing dangerous drugs schedule 2 drug quantity of or exceeding schedule 3

CURRENT STATUS: Listed for mention 13/7/2022, Beenleigh District Court

Alexis Jannah Hinton, 23, Woodridge

CHARGES: 1x possession of property suspected of being the proceeds of an offence under drugs misuse act

CURRENT STATUS: Listed for mention 24/8/2022, Beenleigh Magistrates Court

Senad Catic, 35, Burbank

CHARGES: 2x possessing anything for use in the commission of crime defined in part 2,

1x producing dangerous drugs - serious organised crime

CURRENT STATUS: Listed for mention 1/7/2022, Brisbane Magistrates Court

Senad Catic.

Johnathan James Casiotis, 35, Moorooka

CHARGES: 1x possessing anything for use in the commission of crime defined in part 2,

1x producing dangerous drugs - serious organised crime,

1x possessing dangerous drugs,

1x possess utensils or pipes etc that had been used,

1x contravening order about information necessary to access information stored electronically, 1x possess property suspected of having been used in connection with the commission of a drug offence

CURRENT STATUS: Listed for mention 2/9/2022, Brisbane Magistrates Court

Benjamin Joseph Haylock, 42, Paddington

CHARGES: 1x trafficking in dangerous drugs serious organised crime,

1x unlawful trafficking in weapons category H/R weapon category A/B/C/D/E or explosive,

1x possessing anything used in the commission of crime defined in part 2,

1x contravening order about information necessary to access information stored electronically, 1x possessing dangerous drugs,

1x possession of property suspected of being the proceeds of an offence under drugs misuse act

CURRENT STATUS: Listed for mention 2/9/2022, Brisbane Magistrates Court

Ben Haylock is facing court later this year.

Ernesto Antonio Silva, 34, Springfield

CHARGES: 2x possessing dangerous drugs,

1x possess utensils or pipes etc for use,

1x possessing anything for use in the commission of crime defined in part 2,

1x possession of property suspected of being the proceeds of an offence under drugs misuse act,

1x trafficking in dangerous drugs serious organised crime,

1x unlawful trafficking in weapons category H/R weapon category A/B/C/D/E or explosive

CURRENT STATUS: Listed for mention 2/9/2022 in Brisbane Magistrates Court

Originally published as AN0M one year on: Where are they now?