Operation Ironside: Six men busted in failed AN0M Sydney airport drug plot

Six men have been caught and charged over an alleged plan to import drugs into Australia on an international flight.

Six former and current employees of Sydney airport ground handling company Dnata have been charged over an alleged plan to import drugs into Australia on an international flight.

The Australian Federal Police swooped this week as part of Operation Ironside, the three-year investigation involved the police Trojan horse encrypted app AN0M.

It’s alleged the six current and former employees each used an encrypted AN0M device to discuss an ultimately unsuccessful plan to bring a large quantity of border controlled drugs into Australia via a cargo box.

Dnata – the UAE-owned Dubai National Air Travel Agency – is contracted for a number of duties at Sydney Airport, including baggage handling.

Operation Ironside: One of the six people charged in Sydney. Picture: Supplied

Almost 40kg of methamphetamine, which had been imported into Sydney on an Air Canada flight, was allegedly seized by the AFP.

Some of its current and former employees have been in the AFP crosshairs since the 25 million messages intercepted on AN0M showed a number of trusted insiders, or “doors’’, were allegedly facilitating the importation of drugs into Australia.

Operation Ironside: Six people were charged in this failed drug bust. Picture: Supplied

The AFP said its investigation began in March 2019 when they arrested two men and seized 38kg of methamphetamine, which had been imported into Sydney via an Air Canada flight.

In June as part of the Ironside raids, police seized approximately $100,000 in cash from a property at Liverpool in Sydney and charged a man and a woman.

An AFP officer during the arrests. Picture: Supplied

Police alleged that Operation Ironside intelligence identified that a criminal syndicate was planning another drug importation through Sydney Airport in late 2019, allegedly facilitated by a trusted insider.

It is further alleged that the six people charged planned to import an unknown amount of border controlled drugs concealed within a cargo box in the hold of a commercial aircraft on 7 March 2020. “The importation did not occur due to reduced flight schedules as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the syndicate (allegedly) undertook significant planning toward this endeavour,’’ the AFP said in a statement.

“This included distributing encrypted AMOM devices to each of the six members and canvassing for suitable exchange locations within the airside area of Sydney Airport.’’

On Wednesday, police laid a number of charges relating to the alleged plot. Two men were charged with direct one or more activities of a criminal organisation that was involved in the importation of border controlled drugs. Another three men were charged with provide material support and resources to aid a criminal organisation that was involved in the importation of border controlled drugs.

Operation Ironside: Six people were charged over the failed drug importation. Picture: Supplied

A sixth man was charged with associate with members of a criminal organisation that was involved in the importation of border controlled drugs, for the purpose of supporting this serious organised criminal activity. They will all appear in court next month.

Detective Inspector Scott Sykes said Operation Ironside continued to deliver investigative leads for police, and the AFP was increasingly focusing on targeting trusted insiders working in Australia’s busiest airport.

Six former and current employees of Sydney airport ground handling company Dnata have been charged.

“We ask all people that utilise the airport for work or pleasure to be vigilant and if you see or hear something that is unusual or suspicious, please report it to the AFP on 131 AFP or in emergencies call 000,” Detective Inspector Scott Sykes said.

Speaking generally, he said: “people using their jobs at or access to Sydney Aviation Precinct to facilitate illegal activity for organised crime groups are going to be the target of increased AFP attention, and we are committed to ensuring the integrity and lawful operation of passenger and cargo operations into the future.”

A Dnata spokesperson said: “We can confirm that on 13 October 2021, one of our employees in Australia was charged with a criminal offence. We cannot comment on ongoing legal proceedings and investigations by the authorities. dnata is committed to ethical business practices and operates in compliance with all laws, regulations and industry standards. We are co-operating fully with the authorities in their investigation.”

Originally published as Operation Ironside: Six men busted in failed AN0M Sydney airport drug plot