Operation Kraken: AFP continues to uncover alleged criminality on organised crime app

14 December 2024, 8:54am

Media Release

Operation Kraken: AFP continues to uncover alleged criminality on organised crime app

Editor's note: Images and vision available via Hightail

The AFP’s investigation into the Ghost encrypted app continues to disrupt the criminal underworld with more than 50 alleged criminals now charged and nearly $25 million in assets restrained.

Ongoing AFP inquiries and digital analysis of seized Ghost devices and other digital material since the global takedown of the app in September, has led to 14 more people being charged, joining the 38 initially put before the courts. It has also resulted in the seizure of additional tainted assets, including cash, cryptocurrency and luxury items.

In September, 2024, the AFP and international law enforcement partners executed coordinated police operations in four countries to dismantle the app and charge alleged criminals believed to be trafficking illicit drugs, laundering money, ordering killings or threatening serious violence.

In Australia, the takedown led to the arrest in Sydney of the alleged mastermind behind the app, with 38 people in total charged and 71 search warrants executed across four states over two days.

Since then, the AFP’s ongoing investigations have led to the alleged administrator being charged with drug trafficking offences and $9.3 million in cryptocurrency linked to the man being restrained. The alleged administrator has been remanded in custody since his arrest on 17 September.

In November, the AFP charged two Melbourne men with alleged links to Italian organised crime after digital forensic analysis of their devices allegedly uncovered evidence of the pair being involved in drug trafficking operations.

In October, the AFP added extra charges to a Sydney man, 47, after analysis of eight mobile phones, three laptops and 15 other communication devices and encrypted USBs allegedly revealed he was a distributor of Ghost devices.

The latest results from Operation Kraken include:

52 people charged;
96 search warrants conducted;
Intervening in 50 threats to life/threats to harm;
Preventing 230kg of illicit drugs from harming the Australian community;
Seizing 29 illicit firearms/weapons;
$3.4m in cash seized; and
$24.37m in assets restrained.

AFP Commander Paula Hudson said police had seized 213 mobile phones and 38 dedicated encrypted communications devices as a result of executing nearly 100 search warrants linked to Operation Kraken.

“Nearly 400 Ghost devices were operated in Australia and sent 162,000 messages over the lifetime of the app so this digital treasure trove of material will continue to yield important information about alleged criminal activity conducted in this country, “Commander Hudson said.

“The resolution of Operation Kraken in September was the culmination of the AFP’s largest criminal investigation in 2024 but the work of investigators will continue through 2025 as we piece together the full scale of criminality taking place over the Ghost app.

"As criminals evolve their methodologies, the AFP and law enforcement agencies around the world will continue to exploit their vulnerabilities and disrupt the cyber infrastructures that help facilitate serious organised crime."

“I again acknowledge our intelligent and dedicated members who found a unique solution to infiltrate this app and put the AFP in the back pockets of alleged criminals who believed they were communicating secretively.

“The AFP will never give up in the fight against organised crime. We do this to keep Australians safe – that is our number one job.”

State breakdown of Operation Kraken results (figures include AFP and state police operations):