Operation Ironside was a long-term, covert investigation into transnational and serious organised crime allegedly responsible for large drug imports, drug manufacturing and attempts to kill.
Smashing criminal networks
A 3 year operation, the AFP and the FBI monitored criminals’ encrypted communications over a Dedicated Encrypted Communications Platform. We built a capability that allowed law enforcement to access, decrypt and read communications on the platform. We captured all the data sent between devices using the platform.
The AN0M devices were made to look like a normal phone with an encrypted messaging app hidden behind a calculator app. The app had a variety of features including:
- self-expiring messages
- ability to take, pixelate and send photos to other users
- push to talk feature with voice alteration
- secure file storage.
During Operation Ironside, there was 1,659 active AN0M devices in Australia and a total of 19.37 million messages detected on the devices.
How we smashed the networks
In 2018 the takedown of the Phantom Secure Network left a hole in the market for encrypted communications. More than 14,000 Phantom Secure devices existed in Australia. Criminals needed a new way to hide their communications from law enforcement.
We built capability and computers that allowed law enforcement across the world to access, decrypt and read communications in an app called AN0M. Covertly run by the FBI, AN0M was installed on mobile phones that were stripped of other capability. The mobile phones, which were bought on the black market, could not make calls or send emails. They could only send messages to another device that had the organised crime AN0M app. Criminals needed to know a criminal to get a device.
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. These criminal influencers put the AFP in the back pocket of hundreds of alleged offenders.
Within a year the first arrests took place off Operation Ironside intelligence. By 2021 Operation Ironside had significantly disrupted organised crime networks that threatened Australian communities. Criminals had to consider alternative ways to communicate, taking greater risks.
As of June 2024, there have been 392 alleged offenders charged with 2355 offences, such as trafficking illicit drugs, money laundering and dealing in the proceeds of crime. Collectively, they have been sentenced to 307 years' imprisonment, meaning some of Australia's most significant illicit drug traffickers, or those who committed or planned serious crimes, are now in prison, helping to make Australian suburbs safer.
Statistics
International
as at 31 August 2021
- 993 suspects arrest
- $58m+ currency and cryptocurrency seized (USD)
- 220 firearms seized (approximately)
- 53 tons+ drugs seized.
Australia
as at 08/08/2024
| State | Offenders charged | Offence count # | Drugs seized | Search warrants | Firearms / weapons seized | Cash seized (AUD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Queensland | 49 | 212 | 982kg | 60 | 7 | $805K |
| New South Wales | 121 | 356 | 2069kg | 237 | 43 | $23.3M |
| Victoria | 73 | 200 | 1309kg | 318 | 37 | $20.3M |
| South Australia | 115 | 1537 | 2223kg | 112 | 10 | $1.9M |
| Western Australia | 34 | 50 | 72kg | 53 | 31 | $9.1M |
| Australia | 392 | 2355 | 6655kg | 780 | 128 | $55.6M* |
*due to confirmation of amounts and weights (and data quality) results may increase and decrease.
Case studies
The following case studies illustrate some of the successes and challenges of this unprecedented operation.
Sydney man jailed over pseudoephedrine import
- A Sydney man was sentenced to 7 years' imprisonment by the NSW District Court on 21 June 2024, for his role in a plot to import 127 kg of pseudoephedrine into Sydney.
- Intelligence obtained during Operation Ironside enabled the AFP to disrupt the man's plan to smuggle the precursor into Australia from India.
Melbourne man jailed over 360 kg meth importation
- A Melbourne man, charged under Operation Ironside, was sentenced to 16 years imprisonment for attempting to possess 360 kg of methamphetamine.
- Intelligence gained as a result of Operation Ironside presented the AFP with significant evidence to charge the man on 7 June 2021 in connection to the 2020 drug import.
NSW man jailed for 500 kg meth import conspiracy
- A Newcastle man was sentenced to 15 years' imprisonment for his role in a conspiracy to import about 500 kg of methamphetamine into Australia and for dealing with more than $100,000 of criminal proceeds.
- He was a key member of a transnational criminal syndicate – with links to the Lone Wolf Outlaw Motorcycle Gang – which imported commercial quantities of methamphetamine into NSW hidden in construction equipment.
Victorian man sentenced to 8 years' prison following Ironside intelligence
- A Melbourne man arrested as part of Operation Ironside was sentenced to 8 years imprisonment for importing methamphetamine, cocaine and dealing in the proceeds of crime.
- The Lalor man was arrested in May 2021 after intelligence linked him to the attempted importation of 2 kg of cocaine from Germany.
Western Australian man jailed for $6.1 million in cash as a result of Operation Ironside
- A Western Australia man was sentenced to 5 years jail for his role in dealing in the proceeds of crime after $6.1 million in cash was discovered at a property in Western Australia in November 2020.
- The discovery of the cash came as a result of intelligence gained from the AN0M platform during Operation Ironside.
Operation Ironside: Sydney man jailed for his role in trafficking cocaine
- A Sydney man was sentenced to 5 years' imprisonment on 8 September 2022 for trafficking cocaine.
- Operation Ironside intelligence revealed the Maroubra man was involved in the trafficking of cocaine on an ongoing basis.
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We will be relentless | We will outsmart organised crime | And, we will be a step ahead