comancheros drug bust comancheros drug bust

Further charges against more people have not been ruled out. Gang expert - Canterbury University criminal justice director Jared Gilbert - said many organised criminals would be looking over their shoulders following the major police bust. The twin-engine plane, which miraculously survived a cyclone in Darwin in 1974, had been used to operate a freight charter service in Central Queensland and sight-seeing tours over the Great Barrier Reef until 1990. What did do was send encrypted messages, photos and videos, using a foreign SIM card to apparently avoid Australian data snooping laws. 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. Police and New Zealand Customs staff carried. It was March 5, 2008. We appreciate the assistance provided by Customs in this operation, particularly with the exceptional profiling of shipments from high-risk countries which end up resulting in these large interceptions. Police commissioner Andrew Coster said some are also facing money laundering charges. For its encryption, it claimed to use 'OMEMO Double Ratchet Algorithm independently audited by Dutch security research group Radically Open Security'. Operation Ironside is justthe beginning and the AFP is livingup to our maximum of keepingAustralians safe.'. Bi was released on $400,000 bail to reappear on March 26. Kylie Stevens For Daily Mail Australia, From Nivea moisturiser to two-minute noodles and of course, an Adidas shirt: Inside the 'getaway' bag of accused cocaine kingpin dramatically arrested as he attempted to flee Australia, How an undercover operative nicknamed 'Antman' infiltrated Mostafa Baluch's alleged drug syndicate to destroy a $270million coke deal and replace 900kg in powder with a sham load. 'The FBI had the lead on this. With his eyes glued to the yoke, dials and switches, Santos hadn't spotted the small army of uniformed officers. He is due to appear in Southport Magistrates Court on November 22. 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. The bust exposed new details about how one of Australia's most wanted fugitives gave police extensive access to the world's criminal underworld. Australia's biggest ever police bust has seen not only seen the arrests of the Who's Who of the globalcriminal underworld, but yielded an extraordinary haul of 3.77 tonnes of drugs, $45 million in cash, guns, luxury cars, motorbikes and watches. New Zealand Police say they have dealt a "huge blow" to organised crime after a major trans-national sting resulted in 35 arrests and $3.7 million in assets seized. 22:54 EST 13 Nov 2021 'He's (Ayik) essentially leveraged his position of trust in the underworld to push this platform and that's what generated its success. Pilots wondered why it sat there, rusting, and told tall stories about where it came from. Nearly 9kg of meth had also been seized at the border during the course of investigations linked to the joint operation. It is estimated the meth could have caused more than $500 million worth of social harm if sold into the community. (Supplied) abc.net.au/news/adf-sniper-bikie-boss-joshua-faulkhead-jailed-drugs-charges/6849724 A former Australian Defence Force (ADF) sniper who headed the drug trade in Victoria's Mildura region as a Comancheros bikie boss has been sentenced to nine years and five months in jail. Alleged crooks even paid six-monthly subscription fees to the police - the money only further reinforcing law enforcement methods. 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. Two shotguns and ammunition were also found. At least one major gang hit back at police yesterday - labelling the operation a smear campaign. 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. There's obviously a lot more work to do, there's still a lot offshore who we're looking at as well,' National Anti-Gangs Squad, Detective Superintendent Jason McArthur, said. 'The cash that we've seized, which they now owe debts on, the drugs that have been seized which they now owe debts on,' Superintendent McArthur said. "I did say this as this was the defence I was running," he wrote in a letter from Acacia Prison. Pasilika Naufahu is on trial for drug, money laundering and organised crime charges. He is due to appear in Cleveland Magistrates Court on January 20. 'Sadly, criminal gangs are targetingAustralia because it is one of themost profitable countries in theworld to sell drugs, and for threeyears, this operation has been overt.'. New Zealands previous largest drug bust was in 2016, when 501kg of methamphetamine was seized in Northland, including 449kg from a camper van and 52kg found buried at Ninety Mile Beach. Criminals needed to know a criminal to get a device. West Australian Newspapers Limited 2023. As officers searched the black sports bag, they uncovered nearly $8 million worth of drugs. It was the biggest drug bust in WA history and a day law enforcement officers would remember for years to come. Coster said Thursdays bust was a significant result by the National Organised Crime Group to combat community hard caused by meth. 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. Users could buy phone handsets costing between $1,500 and $2,500 from what has been described as underground distributors. The phone, which supposedly allowed encrypted communications safe from the eyes of the law, was actually a cunning trap laid for a who's who of organised crime. Hakan Ayik with a lingerie-clad companion.Credit: The goods were shipped from overseas to Australia's ports, where dodgy wharfies would turn a blind eye to the cargo for the right reward. The fact they were duped into thinking a network was secure would send a message to others, he said. When will the Beast from the East be at YOUR door? "They are establishing themselves here in WA.". The plane that spurred the downfall of one of Australia's largest drug syndicates was sold at auction in May. Kiwi police working closely alongside international law enforcement agencies and spy networks revealed yesterday they have been secretly intercepting criminals' private communications on an encrypted digital platform built by the FBI. New Zealand investigators monitored thousands of messages made on 57 encrypted criminal devices. At least 35 people were arrested who appeared yesterday in Auckland and Hamilton district courts facing nearly 1000 separate drug dealing and money laundering charges. 'There will be people out there who think they're okay, because they weren't on the AN0M platform. Mildura Comancheros boss Joshua Faulkhead, 39, pleaded guilty to charges related to trafficking of the drugs ice, cocaine and ecstasy, as well as blackmail and causing injury. The police sting has 'significantly impacted' the Comancheros and their business model as alleged club figures Mark Buddle and alleged drug kingpin Hakan Ayik remain on the run from authorities overseas. 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. The company was apparently based in famously neutral Switzerland and boasted of 'military grade encrypt and sanitise'. But youknow, this isn't over. You can rely on Stuffs journalists to question the decision-makers, interview experts, and use eyewitness reporting to answer your key questions with facts and context. This . It was a sweet deal for somebody living off the generosity of friends and family. Ayik, 42, is said to have unwittingly given police direct access to the criminal underworld by encouraging his colleagues to use the app. All times AEDT (GMT +11). The covert surveillance led to the termination of dozens of search warrants on Monday and a swathe of arrests putting a heavy dent in the criminal drug trade here and preventing the Comancheros earning millions of dollars from narcotics. He is due to appear in Cleveland Magistrates Court on Tuesday. 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. A scuffed copy of the Koran. He is due to appear in Cleveland Magistrates Court on December 6. Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Mooney said large quantities of cocaine, methylamphetamine, heroin and cannabis were uncovered during the arrests. Had this shipment been distributed across New Zealand it would have caused immense harm to the vulnerable communities these criminal groups were preying upon.. This is along way from over.'. AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw said the alleged syndicate included 'someof the most dangerous criminals toAustralia'. He is due to appear in Cleveland Magistrates Court on Tuesday. Why? NZ POLICE/Supplied. 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. "We are an area that is very rich at present - a great area for organised crime to come and focus on," Supt Migro said. Hayden Burber, 33,alleged treasurer of the South Australian Comanchero, Christian Taumoefolau, 31, allegedSergeant-at-Arms of the Victorian Comanchero, Eren Kaya, 28, alleged Sergeant-at-Arms from Victoria, Muhammed Topal,25, Victorian-based brother of high-ranking Comanchero figure Hasan Topal, Emmanuel Vamvoukais, 40, alleged sergeant-at-arms of the NSW South Coast, Elias Elchaar, 49, alleged national sergeant-at-arms of the Lone Wolf gang, The comments below have not been moderated, By Information between the agencies led to the commencement of two local operations targeting drug and money-laundering offences. An Interpol red notice has also been for Ayik's arrest, who remains on the run from authorities. Had we not made this seizure, those communities would have continued to suffer, and the individuals involved in this offending would continue to profit from the destruction with no regard for those they have affected. An anonymous blogger known only as 'canyouguess67' posted an article warning users to keep off ANOM for their 'own safety', Daily Mail Australia can reveal. Police have arrested 12 people, including senior members of the Comancheros and Rebels gangs, as part of an operation targeting the drug trade. The shipment of 613 kilograms of methamphetamine was intercepted by police and Customs at Auckland Airport on Thursday. ANoM's website, which was only deleted about 10am on Tuesday, made the technology sound bulletproof. "We believe the termination of these operations will have a significant impact on New Zealand's organised crime scene.". Were working to restore it. The #1 Biker News Website Since 2011-Covering up to minute biker news including Outlaw Motorcycle Clubs & Biker News Worldwide. 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Police watched in real time as alleged crooks spilled their secrets to one another on their own app. The arrests and seizures were part of Operation Baystone, which began after 2.7kg of methamphetamine was found in the Perth suburb of Stirling in December last year. GitHub export from English Wikipedia. Several of the people arrested are linked to the Comancheros gang. It reiterated the importance of transnational law enforcement partnerships "to dismantle organised crime groups and the enormous harm they cause to our communities". The WA drug bust that changed Australian law enforcement forever. Police seized huge cash and drug stashes, and alleged bikies now owe other dangerous crime figures significant amounts of money. 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. 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For more than 18 months, Anom's criminal users unknowingly communicated on the system operated by FBI agents. 'I can't comment on what's happening overseas at the moment, but I think I could probably assure everyone that the AFP and its partners are definitely exploiting the Ironside information, and the networks that we've identified, and we're actively targeting some of these Comanchero members offshore,' Superintendent McArthur said. 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. Because with the pandemic situation constantly changing, its easy for misinformation and rumours to take hold. '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. Twelve people have been arrested, including senior leaders of the Comancheros and Rebels gangs, after a major drug bust operation on Wednesday. "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. The AFP is also likely to seek extradition requests of a number of persons of interest living overseas. Operation Hoffman, a sting designed by Australia's most secretive and powerful law enforcement agency, the Australian Crime Commission, would topple a billion-dollar empire extending across two continents and send a drug lord into hiding. BBC's 1million star Zoe Ball, 52, lands big new payday for Abba show on ITV. It wasnt an unusual occurrence. Wed, 16 June 2021 2:00AM 'It's just pure revenue, it's a bit like selling Amway for him. 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. (NSW Police) NSW Police arrested suspects related to drug offences as part of Operation Ironside. Where 16 people charged and identified as part of Operation Tango Citron live An alleged drug syndicate believed to have links to a notorious bikie gang was dismantled by police in a massive drug bust. In Australia, 224 people were arrested including members of outlaw motorcycle gangs, mafia groups, Asian crime syndicates, and serious and organised crime groups. The Comancheros purchased a catamaran to carry out the offshore marine rendezvous. Pictured: items seized by the AFP, More arrests are expected domestically and offshore under a coordinated global response connected to Operation Ironside. Supt Migro said the investigation was ongoing. Drug kingpin and Comancheros bikie associate Hakan Ayik has spent the last decade on the run from Australian authorities after fleeing the country in 2010. Meth bust: Airport baggage handlers smuggle 250kg this year . Santos is eight years into a 15-year sentence and will tell anyone who listens he is innocent. 'It's like having The Rock (Dwayne Johnson) sponsoring your gym. Senior members of the Comancheros in Waikato, Waikato Mongrel Mob and the Head Hunters were among those arrested. MDMA, cash and firearms were seized by police in October in Operation Cincinnati. Faulkhead was arrested with five other men in January 2014 after large-scale drug raids in the Mildura region. Santos claims he had no knowledge of any drugs being transported on the plane and maintains there was no forensic evidence linking him to the bag. 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. 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. A handcuffed Santos assists police searching the plane at Jandakot Airport. This is a long way from over.'. , started in 2018 with a fake encrypted communication app developed in partnership with the FBI. But you know, this isn't over. Pictured: weapons seized by detectives, Australia's world-first Assistance and Access Act passed in 2018 allows intelligence agencies to require tech companies to hand over encrypted messages. Senior investigators allege '100 per cent' of telephone conversations intercepted on the devices were all business and in relation to criminal activity. 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. 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. By Alana Mazzoni and Daniel Piotrowski and Kylie Stevens For Daily Mail Australia, Published: 01:08 GMT, 8 June 2021 | Updated: 16:10 GMT, 8 June 2021. Phil Hickey The West Australian. The app was accessed by entering a PIN number into the phone's calculator, the stuff of spy dramas. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has seized approximately one million pills laced with fentanyl allegedly linked to the Sinaloa Cartel in what authorities say is the biggest bust for . In the past three years, New Zealand Police had identified up to 20 organised crime groups committing offences across international borders, Williams said. Shit happens.". 3 Dec, . 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. Police searched 21 properties across Auckland and three in Christchurch. Nine other men conjointly charged with trafficking include: Police are hunting for the vehicle involved in a hit and run incident that left an 18-year-old in a critical condition. The next few months after the bust, investigators from the Australian Crime Commission infiltrated international money-laundering streams and exposed Ayik's drug empire. The devices organically circulated and grew in popularity among criminals, who were confident of the legitimacy of the app because high-profile organised crime figures vouched for its integrity. On its glitzy website, the 'ANoM' phone looks like any new tech innovation with sleek black lines, 'invite only' exclusivity and a pledge to 'enforce your right to privacy'. 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. Video / AFP It is being credited with catching underworld figures, mafia. Watch 7NEWS nightly at 6pm and weekdays at 11:30am and 4pm on Channel 7 and 7plus.#MarkBuddle #Ourimbah #Kulnura #7NEWS 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. More charges are expected to be laid as Australian Federal Police work their way through the 25 million messages intercepted by the encrypted app. The phones were stripped down - they couldn't even make calls, access the internet or send emails. bikies, and reality TV stars arrested and charged. They allegedly used the app, secretly developed by the FBI, to message each other around the world, unaware everything they said and did was being intercepted by FBI special agents and the Australian Federal Police. 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!