An Australian citizen is expected to face Bundaberg Magistrates Court today (21 March, 2025) for allegedly smuggling an alleged Operation Ironside accused from Australia in September, 2023.
The AFP charged a Bargara man, 57, yesterday (20 March, 2025) under Operation Harrakis, which was investigating a criminal syndicate suspected of helping serious organised crime figures flee Australia.
It will be alleged the man and another man crewed a vessel that collected the alleged fugitive in an at-sea transfer before the three men allegedly sailed from Thursday Island on 21 September, 2023, and arrived in Phuket, Thailand, on 2 November, 2023.
The fugitive had been charged under Operation Ironside with dealing with proceeds of crime over $100,000, contrary to section 400.4 of the Criminal Code (Cth), which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years' imprisonment.
He was later also charged with conspiracy to import a commercial quantity of border-controlled drugs, contrary to section 11.5 by virtue of section 307.1 of the Criminal Code (Cth), which carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
Operation Ironside was a three-year, covert, AFP-led investigation into significant organised crime syndicates that were using dedicated encrypted communications device, named AN0M, to traffic illicit drugs and weapons to Australia, as well as order local executions.
About 400 offenders have been charged with more than 2350 charges under Operation Ironside.
The AFP's Operation Harrakis executed a search warrant yesterday (20 March, 2025) at a house near Bundaberg, Queensland, during which police seized devices including laptops and mobile phones.
An initial examination of the devices located at the home during the search allegedly identified correspondence between the man and offshore criminal syndicate facilitators, discussing arrangements for a fugitive to flee the country.
The AFP charged the man with:
- One count of intentionally providing material to support resources to a member of a criminal organisation, contrary to section 390.4 of the Criminal Code (Cth); which carries a maximum penalty of five years' imprisonment; and
- One count of people smuggling, contrary to section 73.1 of the Criminal Code (Cth), which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years' imprisonment.
AFP Commander Naomi Binstead said the AFP would relentlessly pursue anyone allegedly involved in helping suspected fugitives abscond Australia.
"Alleged criminals facing serious charges and potential penalties of life imprisonment will often do almost anything to avoid facing court," Commander Binstead said.
"But anyone who helps someone leave the country risks being imprisoned for significant periods themselves.
"The AFP has meticulously picked apart the operations of this alleged criminal syndicate facilitating the movement of fugitives and yesterday's operation is a testament to the skill and dedication of our investigators."
The man was the fifth person charged as part of Operation Harrakis, which remains ongoing.
Operation Harrakis - charges to date
In January, 2025, three people were apprehended on a yacht off the Northern Territory coast. A Dutch man, 51, and a United Kingdom woman, 42, were charged with people smuggling offences, after trying to help a Sydney man depart Australia unlawfully. They will reappear in Darwin Local Court on 1 April, 2025. The Sydney man, 35, had failed to appear in court for an unrelated drug matter, and was subsequently extradited to New South Wales shortly after his arrest.
An Irish man, 46, was charged in February, 2025 with providing material support to the people smuggling offence. He has been remanded in custody and will reappear in a Darwin Local Court at a later date.
