Media Release
Operation Kraken-Veron: Second South Australian man charged for alleged role in drug trafficking syndicate
Editor’s note: Images available via Hightail
A second South Australian man has been charged for his alleged role in trafficking a commercial quantity of illicit drugs under AFP Operation Kraken-Veron.
The Adelaide man, 39, is expected to face the Adelaide Magistrates Court today (Thursday, 19 September, 2024) after he was charged yesterday with two counts each of trafficking a commercial quantity of controlled drugs and possessing a controlled precursor.
Intelligence from the encrypted communications platform Ghost led AFP investigators to allegedly link the man to a drug trafficking syndicate and they executed a search warrant at the man's residence in Torrens Park on Tuesday (17 September, 2024).
During the search investigators located 440 grams of methamphetamine as well as 2.2kg of sodium borohydride and 27.2kg of methylamine – both of which are precursor substances used in the manufacturing of illicit drugs.
The man, who was not at the premises at the time of the search warrant, was arrested at Adelaide Airport yesterday (18 September, 2024), after he returned to Adelaide on a domestic flight from Brisbane.
The man was arrested and charged with:
- Two counts of trafficking commercial quantities of controlled drugs, contrary to section 302.2 of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth); and
- Two counts of possessing a controlled precursor, contrary to section 33LB of the Controlled Substances Act 1984 (SA).
The maximum penalty for these offences is 25 years’ imprisonment.
The investigation is ongoing.
Note to media
Media are encouraged to include help-seeking information in stories about illicit drugs to minimise any negative impact on people in the community. The following services provide people with access to support and information.
- For free and confidential advice about alcohol and other drug treatment services call the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015
- Access free 24/7 drug and alcohol counselling online
- Information about drug and alcohol addiction treatment.
More information
Case studies
- Operation Kraken Rishi – Alleged criminal syndicate disrupted in Melbourne, exposed in takedown of Ghost platform
- Criminal syndicate dismantled as part of AFP takedown of encrypted organised crime network
- Six arrested following investigation into criminal syndicate accused of manufacturing false terrorism plot
- NSW-based drug organised crime syndicate dismantled, four men arrested
- Op Kraken-Ryloth: Victorian duo charged over alleged plans for illicit tobacco import
- Operation Kraken: AFP restrains almost $2 million in assets in WA investigation
- Operation Kraken: AFP charges WA man for allegedly refusing to provide access to an electronic device
- Operation Kraken-Veron: South Australian man charged for alleged role in criminal syndicate
- Operation Kraken-Dathomir: Victorian man charged over seizure of 58kg cannabis and $395k in illicit cash
