Cairns ANOM arrests: Charges after alleged drug offences linked to online network

Three Cairns men have been charged and a fourth given a drug diversion after allegedly becoming caught up in a huge global crime sting linked to ANOM devices.

THREE Cairns men have been charged and a fourth given a drug diversion after allegedly becoming caught up in a huge global crime sting linked to ANOM devices.

The four – two from Edmonton and two from Woree – were among 800 people arrested during a series of worldwide raids after a joint operation between Australia and the US Federal Bureau of Investigation.

An Australian Federal Police spokesman confirmed police seized 3kg of cannabis and $10,000 cash from two properties which were searched on June 4.

Police will allege the drugs were sourced from interstate with a link to the ANOM network although there was no allegation any of the men were in possession of a device.

The ANOM Twitter account created in 2019 – Encrypted Messaging Platform.

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Among those arrested was Edmonton man Jonty Vanderkamp, 27, who was charged with possession of drugs and utensils, in relation to the large quantity of cannabis allegedly located at a Farmer St residence.

A family member also linked to the property was given a drug diversion for drug possession.

Woree pair Kerrod Leonard Cleall, 26, and Mark James Willoughby, 29, have both been charged with drug possession.

The cash was allegedly located at a Nephrite St property along with a small quantity of cocaine.

All three men are due to appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court at a later date.

The ANOM bust, which made global headlines this week, prevented around 150 murders, foiled several large-scale narcotics shipments and led to seizures of 250 weapons and $48 million in currency, police have alleged.

The sting allowed police in 16 countries to read messages sent between underworld figures on the app as they allegedly plotted drug deals, arms transfers and gangland hits.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Tuesday the operation had “struck a heavy blow against organised crime – not just in this country, but one that will echo around organised crime around the world”.

Along with around 200 Australian arrests, Swedish authorities arrested 155 people, Germany 70, the Netherlands 49 and New Zealand 35.

Originally published as Cairns ANOM arrests: Charges after alleged drug offences linked to online network