More than $4.37million of suspected illicit assets, four firearms and almost 19kg of illicit drugs have been seized in Western Australia in investigations linked to AFP Operation Kraken.
Fifteen men have been charged in WA since March, 2024, with a variety of offences, including the alleged WA president of the Hells Angels Outlaw Motorcycle Gang (HAOMCG).
The Western Australia Police Force (WAPF) arrested and charged the patched HAOMCG member, 52, last week (17 September) after stopping a 2011 Mercedes Benz G wagon that he was driving in Fremantle.
He was the only occupant of the vehicle in which police allegedly found $10,000 cash and more than 55g of cocaine during a search. WAPF investigators allegedly found another $4600 cash and steroids when they searched his Piara Waters home later that morning.
The 52-year-old man was charged with possession of prohibited drugs with intent to sell or supply (cocaine); possession of stolen or unlawfully obtained property and possession of a prohibited drug. He is next due to appear before the Armadale Magistrates Court on 16 October, 2024.
The AFP, WAPF and state police in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide executed multiple search warrants last week (Tuesday, 17 September) as part of investigations into intelligence obtained through the AFP's infiltration of the Ghost dedicated encrypted communications platform.
International partners started targeting Ghost in 2022 and Europol established a global taskforce code named OTF NEXT. It was led by the FBI and French Gendarmerie and included the AFP, Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Swedish Police Authority, Dutch National Police, Irish Garda Síochána and the Italian Central Directorate for Anti-Drug Service. The Icelandic Police also assisted the OTF.
While working in the taskforce, the AFP established Operation Kraken after developing a covert technical solution to access data on Australian-based Ghost handsets, including messages that had been sent and received.
The AFP alleges serious organised criminals have been using Ghost in Australia for about nine years to help import, traffic and manufacture illicit drugs, launder money and organise violent crimes.
The arrests and charges last Tuesday (17 September) included a Heathridge man, 55, who allegedly refused to provide the AFP with access to his suspected GhostECC dedicated encrypted communications device.
Investigators found the mobile device wrapped inside a t-shirt and concealed in a chest of drawers in a bedroom at the property.
The AFP charged the man with one count of failed to comply with an order under section 3LA(2) of the Crimes Act 1914 (Cth), contrary to section 3LA(6) of the Crimes Act 1914 (Cth). This offence carries a maximum penalty of 10 years' imprisonment.
Other police activity and arrests in WA in the lead-up to last week's operational activity include:
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In March, WAPF charged a Thornlie man after allegedly finding four firearms, more than 300 rounds of ammunition and almost $62,000 cash hidden at his home. Police also allegedly found almost 32g of methamphetamine, including some in bags hidden in a modified compartment of a car battery in the garage. The firearms - an allegedly stolen sawn-off 12-guage shotgun, a semi-automatic rifle, an air-rifle and an imitation handgun - along with the ammunition and cash, were allegedly found in the man's bedroom. Police will allege he has never held a firearms licence. The man, 38, is expected in court again on 8 October, 2024, charged with multiple serious offences.
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In August, the AFP-led Criminal Assets Confiscation Taskforce (CACT) successfully restrained cryptocurrencies and properties valued at almost $2 million as part of an investigation into an alleged criminal syndicate in WA. The CACT successfully applied to the WA District Court to restrain the assets as suspected proceeds of crime because their value was grossly out of proportion to a Perth man's declared taxable income and expenditure. The CACT will apply to have the restrained assets forfeited to the Commonwealth. Ongoing investigations resulted in the AFP seizing another $792,000 of cryptocurrency last week, which the CACT will apply to have restrained and confiscated.
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On 9 September, WAPF charged a Mirrabooka man after allegedly finding more than $79,000 cash in a vehicle he was driving in Langford. Police stopped the GTS Holden sedan and allegedly found the money in a box in the centre console. The driver, 31, was charged with one count of received, possessed, concealed, disposed of or dealt with any money or other property that is the proceeds of an offence. He is next due to appear before the Armadale Magistrates Court on 27 November, 2024.
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WAPF Drug and Firearm Squad officers charged a Scarborough man, 30, on 11 September after allegedly finding more than 27g of cocaine in a vehicle he was driving. Police stopped his grey Mazda BT50 utility on Reid Highway in Karrinyup about 9pm. He was charged with one count of possession of prohibited drugs with intent to sell or supply (cocaine). He is due to appear in the Perth Magistrates Court on 1 October.
Investigations remain ongoing into alleged criminal activities in WA identified in communications on Ghost.
AFP acting Assistant Commissioner Graeme Marshall said Operation Kraken had again showcased the skill and capability of the AFP.
"Criminals use encrypted and anonymising platforms to facilitate their illegal global business dealings and they believe these platforms will enable them to stay hidden from law enforcement," he said.
"Operation Kraken, coming after Operation Ironside in 2021, shows how wrong they are.
"This operation has given the AFP and our law enforcement partners an increased ability to disrupt organised crime networks and protect communities in Australia and offshore from harm.
"Criminals are not restricted by borders, but neither are law enforcement agencies. These operations show what can be achieved when we work together across the globe."
Western Australia Police acting Assistant Commissioner State Crime Gordon Fairman said encrypted platforms were constantly being used by organised crime syndicates dealing in illicit drugs, targeting Western Australia and threatening our way of life.
"They are using these encrypted platforms to distribute drugs and guns in our community and to launder their illicit profits," Assistant Commissioner Longhorn said.
"Criminals use these encrypted platforms under the mistaken belief that they can remain anonymous. These arrests send a clear message: nobody can remain anonymous forever, and through the collective capabilities of Australian law enforcement no one is out of our reach.
"Law enforcement is continually adapting to criminal behaviour. In Western Australia, like other states, we will continue to monitor trends and adapt our policing approach to directly counter the methods being used by organised crime.
"This is great example of what can be achieved through cooperation and collaboration between international, national and state law enforcement agencies."
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