The AFP has charged two Melbourne men, with alleged links to Italian organised crime, as part of ongoing investigations linked to Operation Kraken.
The men, aged 26 and 25, are expected to appear in Melbourne Magistrate's Court today (27 November, 2024) on drug trafficking charges after they were arrested yesterday (26 November, 2024) in the Melbourne suburbs of Moonee Ponds and Keilor East.
The AFP initially executed search warrants at the pair's separate residences on 17 September, 2024, during a global day of action as part of the takedown of the dedicated encrypted communications platform known as Ghost.
Items seized in September included dedicated encrypted communications devices (DECD), a small quantity of cocaine, $30,000 in cash and alleged drug trafficking paraphernalia, including 'deal bags' and scales. Subsequent digital forensic analysis of devices seized allegedly uncovered evidence of the pair being involved in drug trafficking operations, with records and communications relating to drug sales.
The Moonee Ponds man, 26, has been charged with:
- One count of trafficking in a commercial quantity of a controlled drug (cocaine), contrary to section 302.2 (1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth). The maximum penalty for this offence is life imprisonment or 7,500 penalty units or both;
- One count of dealing with money or property more than $10,000 alleged to be the proceeds of crime, contrary to section 400.6(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth). The maximum penalty for this offence is 10 years imprisonment; and
- One count of failing to comply with an order under section 3LA(2) of the Crimes Act 1914 (Cth). The maximum penalty for this offence is 10 years' imprisonment.
The Keilor East man, 25, has been charged with:
- One count of trafficking in a commercial quantity of a controlled drug (cocaine), contrary to section 302.2(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth);
- One count of possessing a controlled drug (cocaine), contrary to section 308.1(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth). The maximum penalty for this offence is two years' imprisonment; and
- One count of failing to comply with an order under section 3LA(2) of the Crimes Act 1914 (Cth).
AFP Detective Inspector Mark McKiernan said Operation Kraken was evidence of the AFP's dedication to stay a step ahead of transnational serious organised crime.
"Ghost is the latest criminal platform to be infiltrated and dismantled after joint operations by law enforcement agencies around the world, joining EncroChat, Sky Global, Phantom Secure and AN0M that have been shut down in the past decade," Detective Inspector McKiernan said
"Let this be a warning to anyone who thinks they can mask their criminal activity behind encryption. Police could be reading every illicit message you send about your criminal operations.
"These arrests are a testament to the dogged determination of AFP intelligence specialists and investigators. Their expertise and persistence to ensure the safety of the Australian community is unparalleled."
