Six arrested following investigation into criminal syndicate accused of manufacturing false terrorism plot

18 September 2024, 12:36pm

Media Release

Six arrested following investigation into criminal syndicate accused of manufacturing false terrorism plot

A criminal syndicate who allegedly used a secret encrypted mobile application to organise drug importations and manufacture a false terrorism plot to pervert the course of justice has been dismantled as a part of AFP-led Operation Kraken.

Six men have been arrested and charged today (17 September, 2024) with a combined 43 offences following a joint investigation with NSW Police into the syndicate communicating via the Ghost encrypted mobile application.

The AFP will allege a North Rocks man, 31, was a senior member of the criminal syndicate and conspired to fabricate a terrorist plot involving high-powered weapons and explosive devices between March and April 2024.

It will be alleged messages captured on the encrypted platform detailed conversations about accessing machine guns, bombs, hand grenades, rocket launchers and flags with terrorist insignia as part of the conspiracy.

The AFP will allege the conspiracy was devised to provide to authorities to get charges withdrawn for an individual involved in a separate criminal matter.

During the same period, it is alleged the man attempted to import 42kg of cocaine, concealed in two refrigerated shipping containers, into Sydney.

As a result of the AFP intelligence, ABF officers examined the shipping containers on 3 April, 2024, and found 42 packages of cocaine, each weighing about 1kg.

The AFP will allege the North Rocks man was involved in the importation of border controlled drugs, with members of the syndicate involved in the trafficking of methamphetamine, cocaine, cannabis and MDMA.

It is alleged the criminal syndicate used ‘runners’ to transport illicit drugs from Sydney to Inverell, and transport cash from the sale of the illicit drugs from Inverell to Sydney.

AFP and NSW Police officers executed multiple simultaneous search warrants in the suburbs of North Rocks, Regents Park, Hassall Grove, Kellyville, Kellyville Ridge, Quakers Hill and Inverell on 5 September, 2024. Six encrypted devices, 50g of cocaine and $19,785 in cash were located and seized.

The North Rocks man, 31, was charged with:

Two counts of conspiring to pervert the course of justice of the Commonwealth, contrary to section 42(1) of the Crimes Act 1914 (Cth);
One count of attempting to import a commercial quantity of border-controlled drugs, contrary to section 307.1 of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth);
Two counts of trafficking a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug, contrary to section 302.2 of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth);
One count of conspiracy to traffic commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug, contrary to section 302.2 of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth);
Two counts of trafficking a border-controlled drug, contrary to section 302.4 of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth);
One count of deal with the criminal proceeds of crime, greater than or equal to $100,000, contrary to section 400.4(1) of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth);
One count of directing a criminal organisation, contrary to section 390.6 of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth); and
One count of possession of a dedicated encrypted criminal communication device to commit serious criminal activity, contrary to section 192P(1) of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW). The maximum penalty for this offence is three years’ imprisonment.

The man appeared in Parramatta Local Court on 17 September, 2024 and was refused bail. He is expected to return to the same court on 26 September, 2024.

A Regents Park man, 27, was charged with:

Two counts of trafficking a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug, contrary to section 302.2 of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth);
One count of conspiracy to traffic a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug, contrary to section 302.2 of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth);
One count of trafficking a border-controlled drug, contrary to section 302.4 of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth);
One count of deal with the criminal proceeds of crime, greater than or equal to $100,000, contrary to section 400.4(1) of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth);
One count of possession of a dedicated encrypted criminal communication device to commit serious criminal activity, contrary to section 192P(1) of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW). The maximum penalty for this offence is three years’ imprisonment; and
One count of directing a criminal organisation, contrary to section 390.6 of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth).

The man will appear in Parramatta Local Court on 18 September, 2024.

A Hassall Grove man, 26, was charged with:

One count of trafficking a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug, contrary to section 302.2 of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth);
One count of conspiracy to traffic a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug, contrary to section 302.2 of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth);
Two counts of trafficking a marketable quantity of a controlled drug, contrary to section 302.3 of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth);
One count of deal with the criminal proceeds of crime, greater than or equal to $100,000, contrary to section 400.4(1) of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth);
One count of possession of a dedicated encrypted criminal communication device to commit serious criminal activity, contrary to section 192P(1) of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW);
One count of committing an offence for the benefit of, or at the direction of, a criminal organisation, contrary to section 390.5 of Criminal Code 1995 (Cth);
One count of conspiracy to supply a prohibited drug not less than a large commercial quantity, contrary to section 25(2) of the Drug Misuse and Trafficking Act 1985 (NSW); and
One count of aggravated entry of a dwelling with intent, contrary to section 111(2) of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW).

The man will appear at Blacktown Local Court on 18 September, 2024.

A Kellyville man, 25, charged with:

One count of trafficking a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug, contrary to section 302.2 of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth);
One count of conspiracy to traffic a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug, contrary to section 302.2 of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth);
One count of conspiring to pervert the course of justice of the Commonwealth, contrary to section 42(1) of the Crimes Act 1914 (Cth);
One count of deal with the criminal proceeds of crime, greater than or equal to $10,000, contrary to section 400.6 of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth);
One count of possession of a dedicated encrypted criminal communication device to commit serious criminal activity, contrary to section 192P(1) of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW); and
One count of committing an offence for the benefit of, or at the direction of, a criminal organisation, contrary to section 390.5 of Criminal Code 1995 (Cth).

The man will appear in Parramatta Local Court on 18 September, 2024.

A Quakers Hill man, 23, charged with:

One count of trafficking a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug, contrary to section 302.2 of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth);
One count of conspiracy to traffic commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, contrary to section 302.2 of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth);
One count of possession of a dedicated encrypted criminal communication device to commit serious criminal activity, contrary to section 192P(1) of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW);
One count of committing an offence for the benefit of, or at the direction of, a criminal organisation, contrary to section 390.5 of Criminal Code 1995 (Cth);
One count of conspiracy to supply a prohibited drug not less than a large commercial quantity, contrary to section 25(2) of the Drug Misuse and Trafficking Act 1985 (NSW); and
One count of aggravated entry of a dwelling with intent, contrary to section 111(2) of the
Crimes Act 1900 (NSW).

The man will appear at Blacktown Local Court on 18 September, 2024.

A Kellyville Ridge man, 26, was charged with:

One count of conspiracy to traffic a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug, contrary to section 302.2 of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth);
One count of trafficking marketable quantities of controlled drugs, contrary to section 302.3 of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth);
One count of dealing in proceeds of crime greater than or equal to $100,000, to section 400.4 Criminal Code 1995 (Cth); and
One count of committing an offence for the benefit of, or at the direction of, a criminal organisation, contrary to section 390.5 of Criminal Code 1995 (Cth).

The man will appear at Blacktown Local Court on 18 September, 2024.