They were unaware it was run by FBI agents and the Australian Federal Police who could read their every word. But after Anthony 'You'll be missed forever': Elizabeth Hurley and son Damian share heartfelt tribute to her late ex Shane Mamma Mia! Comancheros gang's 'mother ship' drug trafficking plan scuppered by Officers from Strike Force Garlow found $3 million worth of methylamphetamine at a dilapidated drug lab on a rural property in Kulnura and arrested 2 men aged 48 and 35 who were allegedly making the drug ice and dealing in the proceeds of crime.Police also seized methylamphetamine oil, more than 20kg of precursor chemicals, drug manufacturing equipment and $220,000 in cash.It's understood the drugs were being made under an agreement between the Nomads and Comancheros. Operation Trojan Shield saw the FBI create a closed encrypted company, called Anom, to fill this void, allowing investigators to eavesdrop on criminal communications about drug trafficking and money laundering activities across the globe. The arrests were made after 24 properties were searched on Wednesday 21 throughout the wider Auckland area, and three in Christchurch. Another operation spawned out of Trojan Shield was Operation Equinox, which targeted member of Waikato Comancheros and Waikato Mongrel Mob Kingdom. "It must have been then," the now-49-year-old said. The fact they were duped into thinking a network was secure would send a message to others, he said. A 33-year-old Tarragindi man charged with 25 offences including three counts of trafficking in dangerous drugs - serious organised crime, eight counts of supplying dangerous drugs and weapon offences. Police said the raids targeted a group believed to be involved in the importation, distribution and manufacture of methamphetamine and MDMA. 'These criminal influencers put the AFP in the back pocket of hundreds of alleged offenders,' Mr Kershaw said. 'We're bearing down upon them. Fronting media in Auckland, Williams said the FBI had recently dismantled several encrypted platforms which criminals used to communicate, including Canadian-based Phantom Secure in 2018 and Sky Global earlier this year. The catamaran was seized in Tauranga, where it remains in police custody. Operation Ironside is justthe beginning and the AFP is livingup to our maximum of keepingAustralians safe.'. The bust exposed new details about how one of Australia's most wanted fugitives gave police extensive access to the world's criminal underworld. Credit:Nine News. 'He's (Ayik) essentially leveraged his position of trust in the underworld to push this platform and that's what generated its success. The WA drug bust that changed Australian law enforcement forever. The gang vessel was seized during the searches, along with a cache of drugs, luxury vehicles and cash. Video / Leon Menzies. But they're not okay. Personal trainer, 22, describes what working in the fitness industry is like when you're curvy - and why Jon Jones vs Ciryl Gane - UFC 285 LIVE: Follow all the action from main card ahead of HUGE heavyweight PETER HITCHENS: Now we know for sure that our leaders lost their heads over Covid. He is due to appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court on December 12. A scuffed copy of the Koran. White is due to appear in Cleveland Magistrates Court on January 20, while his co-accused, also alleged members of the Comancheros gang, have been charged with varying other offences. 'That's what we're doing. Comanchero Motorcycle Club - Wikipedia Get the news you want delivered straight to your inbox so you never miss a headline. It was mostly unknown clients like the one bound for Jandakot who had booked the trips. 'Andthese figures are likely to increaseover the coming days. Police arrest 12 people after drug busts in Auckland and - Stuff A further 10 gang members and their associates have also been arrested in relation to their alleged roles in the network, which saw drugs and cash transported between the two cities, police said. Police also seized a number of assets and eight luxury vehicles, including a 2019 Ferrari 488 Pista worth more than $630,000, and a 2020 Porsche 911 Coupe, worth more than $230,000. They sat back and secretly intercepted millions of messages sent as unsuspecting associates openly stated their plans including plots to kill, importing drugs and identifying those who could help them with their criminal enterprises. Now who the 16 people identified are, what they're charged with, and where they live can be revealed. Mr Kershaw said detectives witnessed associates 'turning on each other' and doing business behind each other's backs. Its bits and bobs are now scattered across his verandah and the tail and fuselage sit in a backyard in Perth's north, a dire reminder of the plane that once sat in the middle of Australia's own war on drugs and that changed law enforcement forever. Senior leaders of the Comancheros and Rebels gangs have been arrested and hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash seized following a raft of armed police raids across Auckland and Christchurch. A 33-year-old man from the Comanchero bikie gang was identified by police as the alleged principal offender who engaged in the trafficking and supply of drugs along with other associates. The Comanchero Motorcycle Club New Zealand president feared he was about to be arrested eight months before a major police bust and also suspected police were bugging his phone, a jury has been told. All times AEDT (GMT +11). Police have charged 224 alleged offenders with 525 charges, shut down six clandestine laboratories and acted on 21 threats to kill, including saving a family of five. Six people have been charged over a major methamphetamine importation and the biggest drug bust in New Zealand history. Coster thanked Customs for its exceptional profiling of shipments from high-risk countries. Meth bust: Airport baggage handlers smuggle 250kg this year . Williams said $3.7m in assets had been seized, along with 20 ounces of methamphetamine, large bags of cannabis, multiple kilograms of iodine, four firearms, 14 vehicles, including two marine vessels, mobile phones and more than $1m in cash. AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw said federal agents had been in the 'back pockets' of criminals through the encryption app. NZ's biggest drug bust: Alleged drug traffickers plead not guilty over A further 10 gang members and their associates have also been arrested in relation to their alleged roles in the network, which saw drugs and cash transported between the two cities, police said in a statement. You can make a contribution from as little as $1. UN states finally agree deal to protect high seas. An Interpol red notice has also been for Ayik's arrest, who remains on the run from authorities. We want to reduce the harm these gangs are causing in our communities, he said. The pair were arrested at the airport and ultimately charged with two counts of possession with intent to sell or supply, and sentenced to 15 years in jail. Some 224 people have been arrested, $44,934,457 in cash seized, as well as 104 weapons, 3.7 tonnes of drugs and multi-million dollar assets. Watch: Australian Police take down mafia, Comancheros in early morning raids and seize millions in cars, drugs and cash. Had this shipment been distributed across New Zealand it would have caused immense harm to the vulnerable communities these criminal groups were preying upon.. A lawyer for the man charged with the murder of Toyah Cordingley has spoken to media following his clients appearance before a Queensland court four years after her body was found. A 46-year-old Bracken Ridge man charged with 12 offences including two counts of trafficking in dangerous drugs - serious organised crime, four counts of possessing dangerous drugs, two counts of possessing property used in the commission of a crime, and once count of possessing property obtained from trafficking. But youknow, this isn't over. Details of the failed drug trafficking plan emerged following the termination of Operation Trojan Shield - described as the "sting of the century" and a huge blow to New Zealand's criminal fraternity. Drugs 'syndicate' bust sends police, SES into Brisbane bushland looking Senior bikies and mafia figures were tricked into buying hi-tech phones that would supposedly let them messages one another, free of police snooping. According to Santos, he was preparing his plane for take-off at Bankstown Airport in the early hours of March 4, 2008, when a car pulled up outside the airfield and a young man dressed in a white shirt and black pants, walked up to shake his hand. The Turkish-Australian holds dual citizenship, and despite being included in the NSW police most wanted persons list and having an Interpol arrest warrant against his name, Turkey does not extradite its citizens. He has since been spotted in Cyprus, Spain and Dubai, with Australian authorities suspecting he is the mastermind behind a massive drug lab in India capable of exporting tonnes of methamphetamine around the world. BBC's 1million star Zoe Ball, 52, lands big new payday for Abba show on ITV. Subscribe to 7NEWS Australia for the latest news video https://7news.link/YTSubscribeConnect with Seven News onlineVisit https://7news.com.au7NEWS Podcast http://smarturl.it/7NewsDailyFacebook https://www.facebook.com/7NewsAustraliaTwitter https://twitter.com/7NewsAustraliaInstagram https://www.instagram.com/7newsaustralia/ 7NEWS combines the trusted and powerful news brands including Sunrise, The Morning Show, The Latest, and 7NEWS.com.au, delivering unique, engaging and continuous coverage on the issues that matter most to Australians. Police and Customs managed to intercept more than 600kg of methamphetamine at Auckland Airport. Police said the group had links to the Comancheros bikie gang. This . Ayik, subbed one of the world's most prolific drug-smuggling masterminds, was later detained in Cyprus but then escaped and fled to Turkey, where he has created a new life. Wed, 16 June 2021 2:00AM Ten people arrested, luxury cars seized in massive drug bust James Hall @James_P_Hall 3 min read November 23, 2021 - 7:18PM NCA NewsWire 'And it isour intention that they are lookingover their shoulder, because our law enforcement agencies and thepartnerships we have around theworld are bearing down upon them,' he said. "WA police," a robust voice said firmly from the other side of the metal. The investigation, dubbed Operation Weirton, had been looking at a criminal syndicates alleged links to importation of controlled Class A drugs into the country, Coster said. 'There's no doubt going to be some tension within the whole system about who owes what drug debt and so on. He is due to appear in Cleveland Magistrates Court on Tuesday. We'rebearing down upon them. However, it seems few alleged criminals in the sights of law enforcement did a cursory Google search into the 'encrypted' phone and app platform. At the time, police seized 3kg of MDMA powder, 3kg of ephedrine, quantities of methamphetamine, cocaine and other drugs. Drug kingpin and Comancheros bikie associate Hakan Ayik has spent the last decade on the run from Australian . A joint investigation led to the largest ever interception of methamphetamine at the border. If Stuff is a regular part of your day, please consider becoming a supporter. The Comancheros purchased a catamaran to carry out the offshore marine rendezvous. Senior leaders of the Comancheros and Rebels gangs have been arrested Buddle was last known to be in Iraq and Ayik is believed to be still living in Turkey and is hiding from underworld figures after he was outed as one of the 'influencers' who unwittingly spread the AN0M encrypted device. The phones were stripped down - they couldn't even make calls, access the internet or send emails. A 46-year-old Mango Hill man charged with nine offences including two counts of trafficking in dangerous drugs - serious organised crime, two counts of supplying dangerous drugs and weapon offences. Encrypted platforms were designed to prevent law enforcement agencies from monitoring such criminal activities. Coster said he was proud of his police staff for the work they do to keep communities safe. 'This comes from the number of significant arrests. Find out more about our policy and your choices, including how to opt-out. "We've got the president - there was actually a structure in place - there are a number of other people that we are waiting to see when and if they will be patched, and that was going to happen (this) weekend," WA Serious and Organised Crime Division Superintendent Jim Migro told reporters on Friday. 'Illicit drug use ruins lives and fuels organised crime.'. We want to reduce the harm these gangs are causing in our communities, he said. We are still coming.'. ANOM: Hundreds arrested in massive global crime sting using messaging Acting detective inspector John Brunton from the national organised crime group said police are determined to target the leaders and key members of gangs that are involved in drug dealing. Pictured: ammunition seized by authorities, Operation Ironside foiled 21 murder plots and seized more than three tonnes of drugs, $35.8 million in cash, 72 firearms and 1650 devices with the encrypted app. What did do was send encrypted messages, photos and videos, using a foreign SIM card to apparently avoid Australian data snooping laws. In 2018, as part of Operation Nova, police detectives from the National Organised Crime Group covertly filmed a drug deal involving the Comancheros motorcycle gang. As the plane finally stopped on the apron, the Lycoming O-540 engines idling away, he heard a knock on the door. Just after 3am, with Micalizzi's bag safety stowed in the cargo hold, the pair took off in the Aztec, leaving Bankstown's runway behind en route to Whyalla, the first refuelling stop on the 15-hour journey to Jandakot. 23:02 EST 13 Nov 2021. Senior investigators describe Ayik as the 'principal distributor of the AN0M handset.' Pictured: one of hundreds of arrests, 'Wewill outsmart you. The next few months after the bust, investigators from the Australian Crime Commission infiltrated international money-laundering streams and exposed Ayik's drug empire. Sitting at Acacia Prisons crowded visitor room, he says it all began with a phone call from a client looking for a plane ride from Bankstown, in Sydneys south-west, to Jandakot. International drug syndicate Sinaloa cartel was helping Auckland gang Comancheros, police reveal It wasn't long until the Comanchero announced their arrival, as first revealed by the Herald. A 41-year-old Gaven man charged with 11 offences including two counts of trafficking in dangerous drugs - serious organised crime and eight counts of supplying dangerous drugs. His good name goes behind it, he gets some fees, there's a cut from the selling of the handsets.'. Users could buy phone handsets costing between $1,500 and $2,500 from what has been described as underground distributors. 50kg of cocaine seized in 10-month police probe, suspected Colombian drug ring . Nationwide News Pty Ltd 2023. NZ's biggest drug bust - 613kg of meth seized at Auckland Airport - Stuff Desperate drivers are taking to social media to buy and sell demerit points, risking eye-wateringly expensive fines in the process. New Zealand authorities have also arrested 35 people for alleged drug dealing and money laundering, seizing some $NZ3.7 million ($A3.4 million) in assets. Interactive map reveals when you may see SNOW, Kate Garraway reveals Derek's heartbreaking words when they thought he had just minutes left to live. A 10-month investigation targeting an alleged bikie network in Brisbane connected to the notorious Comanchero gang has led to the arrest of 42 people on nearly 430 charges and the seizure of nearly $2m in drugs, cash and property. The plane that spurred the downfall of one of Australia's largest drug syndicates was sold at auction in May. New Zealand investigators monitored thousands of messages made on 57 encrypted criminal devices. New Zealand Customs staff, Armed Offenders Squad members, Asset Recovery Unit and Police Dog Section staff assisted police with the searches. More arrests are expected domestically and offshore under a coordinated global response connected to Operation Ironside. It was the biggest drug bust in WA history and a day law enforcement officers . National Organised Crime Group director detective superintendent Greg Williams described Operation Trojan Shield as one of the most sophisticated law enforcement operations ever undertaken "in the global fight against organised crime". Video / Mike Scott. Large-scale operations of this nature create enormous disruption and paranoia within organised crime groups because it breaks down their communication channels that they use to evade law enforcement detection.". It follows the first phase of Operation Cincinnati in October when 26 people were arrested and kilos of drugs was seized, along with multiple firearms and more than $10 million in assets. He is due to appear in Cleveland Magistrates Court on January 20. Be part of our story, and help us tell yours. A police investigation would later reveal Micalizzi was a drug runner for the Comancheros, a middleman in an international drug syndicate led by Turkish-Australian gym junkie Hakan Ayik. Pictured: items seized by the AFP, More arrests are expected domestically and offshore under a coordinated global response connected to Operation Ironside. One of the operations - dubbed Operation Van - specifically targeted the transnational organised crime group linked to the Comancheros. He is Australia's most wanted man after fleeing Sydney for Turkey more than a decade ago when he was linked to a $230 million heroin importation syndicate. READ MORE: * Duo jailed after Customs' largest-ever seizure of methamphetamine * Ninety Mile beach meth bust: Police ID kingpins behind massive drug haul * Ninety Mile Beach meth importing trial: Guilty verdicts for both accused. Police will allege bikie gangs bought a share of drug importations for more than $1 million alongside other criminal groups. The country's Federal Police released pictures of the wealth, firepower and even taste in gangster movies of those arrested during sweeping raids across the country, the U.S., Britain andwider Europe after the alleged criminals were covertly monitored for three years using an encrypted communication app called 'AN0M'. A 32-year-old Wynnum man charged with eight offences including two counts of trafficking in dangerous drugs serious - organised crime, two counts of possessing property having been used in connection with the commission of a drug offence, and four counts of supplying dangerous drugs. That may have been an in-joke - as all the supposedly self-destructing messages sent on the app was radically open to the Australian Federal Police to read. He is due to appear in Southport Magistrates Court on November 22. Highs-powered rifles were among the weapons seized. More than $60M in meth, cocaine seized in one of LA County's biggest Mr Morrison said the AFP's covert mission was 'seeking to frustrate [the alleged criminals] in every link of the chain'. 7NEWS can reveal the bust is linked to exiled bikie Mark Buddle of the Comancheros. Police said they were both running drug distribution networks in their cities. Police and Customs managed to intercept more than 600kg of methamphetamine at Auckland Airport. Waikato Mongrel Mob's public relations liaison, Lou Hutchinson, took to Twitter to say: "Lol do you seriously believe all the bullsh*t spin about the Waikato Mongrel Mob Kingdom [sic] this is a total smear campaign driven by the NZ Police, politicians and mainstream media! (Supplied) He is due to appear in Cleveland Magistrates Court on December 6. Williams said the group had planned to import "huge quantities" of meth and cocaine into New Zealand on a mothership, which would be met by smaller craft at sea and the drugs ferried back to shore for distribution. ", Witnesses sought following assault, Hastings"Police are seeking witnesses to an assault, International police operation: How the gangs were brought to their knees - NZ Herald. Now living in Turkey, he was tricked into distributing messages to his criminal associates around the world via encrypted communications app AN0M, unaware it was being run by FBI special agents. Alleged bikies and associates make up one third of the hundreds of arrests made under Operation Ironside, along-term covert investigation into organised crime allegedly responsible for huge drug imports. Take care of your gut and it will take care of you: Could these 'friendly' bacteria transform your gut Netflix subscribers can access hidden upgrade to their favourite shows - here's how to check if you are www.dhttps://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/national/how-australian-drug-kingpin-hakan-ayik-gave-an0m-to-the-criminal-world-and-took-down-his-pals/news-story/cc7999b22dfdc6f16bfd620720d81e33ailytelegra Do not sell or share my personal information. In total, police seized vehicles worth over $1.2 million. 'I have amessage for the criminals targetingAustralia and Australia's interests- the AFP will be relentless,' Mr Kershaw said. China increases military spending in face of 'escalating' threats, Treaty ahoy! But the way journalism is funded is changing and we need your help to sustain local newsrooms. Breaking news, sport, business and more. Police watched in real time as alleged crooks spilled their secrets to one another on their own app. 'The operation puts Australia at the forefront of the fight against criminals who peddle in human misery and ultimately, it will keep our communities and Australians safe,' he said on Tuesday. 'The FBI had the lead on this. The Australian Federal Police announced on Tuesday that it had seized 3.7 tonnes of drugs, 104 weapons and almost $45million in cash as part of the operation - which was three years in the making. Successful police operations like Trojan Shield also ensured organised crime groups "don't gain an asset base which they can use to corrupt government officials or port or airline workers, which can make their operations easier to undertake". Pictured: one man being arrested by AFP officers, A tradie is seen kneeling with his hands tied behind his back after being arrested following raids, A luxury Ducati motorcycle was among the hundreds of items seized by AFP officers during raids as part of Operation Ironside. As officers searched the black sports bag, they uncovered nearly $8 million worth of drugs.
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