Wednesdays search warrants marked the second termination phase of Operation Cincinnati, which saw 26 people arrested and kilos of drugs, multiple firearms and more than $10 million in assets seized in October. He invested his proceeds of crime in hotel and resort developments while living a lavish lifestyle that extended to flashy cars and private yachts. It was mostly unknown clients like the one bound for Jandakot who had booked the trips. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the AFP operation, known as Operation Ironside, had struck a 'heavy blow' against organised crime. Further enquiries into the intercepted meth over the last few days saw several search warrants being carried out across south Auckland on Tuesday evening, resulting in the arrest of six people aged between 27 and 36. More than 800 suspected criminals have been arrested worldwide after being tricked into using an FBI-run encrypted messaging app, officials say. They paid for the fuel and he built up his hours. His good name goes behind it, he gets some fees, there's a cut from the selling of the handsets.'. His Dutch wife,hair transplant business owner Fleur Messelink publicly flaunted the couple's elaborate lifestyle on Instagram until this week. IF YOU VALUE YOUR PRIVACY & SAFETY'. He is due to appear in Cleveland Magistrates Court on January 20. Now, a man has purchased the same Aztec Piper which brought the drugs to WA.Credit: As Bankstown pilot Jamieson Santos was preparing to land his twin-engined 1970s Piper Aztec at a busy airport on the outskirts of Perth a dozen grim-faced police officers were waiting on the hot tarmac. The gang members are alleged to have worked with offshore criminal entities to import large quantities of methamphetamine and MDMA which was distributed across New Zealand. At least one major gang hit back at police yesterday - labelling the operation a smear campaign. But during his trial in the WA District Court, Judge Christopher Stevenson said the duo had played a "dangerous game of Russian Roulette" trying to incriminate each other, "the last refuge of a desperate man to avoid any criminal liability". Comancheros gang boss Pasilika Naufahu jailed for money laundering, conspiring to supply drugs Updated 19/02/2021 Jamie Ensor Zac Fleming Comancheros boss Pasilika Naufahu has been sentenced. It was March 5, 2008. Several of the people arrested are linked to the Comancheros gang. Nearly 9kg of meth had also been seized at the border during the course of investigations linked to the joint operation. Criminals needed to know a criminal to get a device. He had established his own flying company, Santos Aviation, in 2006 and bought his American-made Aztec a year later with a generous cash donation from a family friend. Video / Leon Menzies. It could only send messages to another device that had the organised crime app. Senior bikies and mafia figures were tricked into buying hi-tech phones that would supposedly let them messages one another, free of police snooping. Senior members of the Comancheros gang purchased a catamaran and allegedly planned to rendezvous at sea with a "mothership" bringing large shipments of illicit drugs into New Zealand. But the ANoM phones were actually designed by the FBI and allowed Australian police to read the texts of organised crime figures. He is due to appear in Cleveland Magistrates Court on Tuesday. NZ POLICE/Supplied. Senior investigators allege '100 per cent' of telephone conversations intercepted on the devices were all business and in relation to criminal activity. The bust exposed new details about how one of Australia's most wanted fugitives gave police extensive access to the world's criminal underworld, Among the items seized by the AFP was memorabilia from the 1972 cult classic The Godfather, Australia's biggest ever police bust has seen 3.77 tonnes of drugs, $45 million in cash, guns, luxury cars, motorcycles and watches pictured) seized, Ninja Warrior 2017 contestant Sopiea Kong was among those arrested. By Alana Mazzoni and Daniel Piotrowski and Kylie Stevens For Daily Mail Australia, Published: 01:08 GMT, 8 June 2021 | Updated: 16:10 GMT, 8 June 2021. It is estimated the meth could have caused more than $500 million worth of social harm if sold into the community. READ MORE: * 20,000 ecstasy pills and Ferrari seized in major police bust in Auckland. New Zealand Police began working with the FBI on the operation in January 2020 to monitor the communications of platform users here in New Zealand. He is due to appear in Cleveland Magistrates Court on December 6. Now who the 16 people identified are, what they're charged with, and where they live can be revealed. Inside the 'Aussie cartel': How nine 'baddest of the bad' How bikie drug gangs are 'infiltrating' airports and even Ukraine soldiers shoot down enemy drones with drones of their own, Wheel of Fortune contestant answers food puzzle wrong, Pavement where disabled woman gestured at cyclist before fatal crash, Pro-Ukrainian drone lands on Russian spy planes exposing location, 'Buster is next!' He is due to appear in Cleveland Magistrates Court on Tuesday. "This shipment never made it to New Zealand.". , updated A further 10 gang members and their associates have also been arrested in relation to their alleged roles in the network, which saw drugs and cash transported between the two cities, police said in a statement. New Zealand Customs staff, Armed Offenders Squad members, Asset Recovery Unit and Police Dog Section staff assisted police with the searches. Police will allege $640,000 in cash was uncovered as well as $1m worth of drugs, including 113kg of cannabis, 134 grams of cocaine and 84 grams of methamphetamine, as well as five handguns and eight rifles. Kiwi police working closely alongside international law enforcement agencies and spy networks revealed yesterday they have been secretly intercepting criminals' private communications on an encrypted digital platform built by the FBI. We appreciate the assistance provided by Customs in this operation, particularly with the exceptional profiling of shipments from high-risk countries which end up resulting in these large interceptions. A police investigation into the bust later uncovered more than 100 messages and calls between Micalizzi and two syndicate figures named 'Oz' and 'Bowa', a fake NSW driver's licence, three mobile numbers registered under false names and $9000 in cash. This is a long way from over.'. A 37-year-old Holland Park West man charged with 14 offences including two counts of trafficking in dangerous drugs - serious organised crime and one count of trafficking in dangerous drugs. Police seized huge cash and drug stashes, and alleged bikies now owe other dangerous crime figures significant amounts of money. The mobile phones, which were bought on the black market, could not make calls or send emails. Pasilika Naufahu and Connor . Drug kingpin and Comancheros bikie associate Hakan Ayik has spent the last decade on the run from Australian . From Whyalla they travelled to Forrest, a popular refuelling stop more than 1100km east of Perth, near the South Australian border. Further charges against more people have not been ruled out. Police said they were both running drug distribution networks in their cities. The twin-engine plane, which miraculously survived a cyclone in Darwin in 1974, had been used to operate a freight charter service in Central Queensland and sight-seeing tours over the Great Barrier Reef until 1990. Users could buy phone handsets costing between $1,500 and $2,500 from what has been described as underground distributors. Police are making good progress dismantling his alleged empire of organised crime. Large-scale operations of this nature create enormous disruption and paranoia within organised crime groups because it breaks down their communication channels that they use to evade law enforcement detection.". Subscribe to 7NEWS Australia for the latest news video https://7news.link/YTSubscribeConnect with Seven News onlineVisit https://7news.com.au7NEWS Podcast http://smarturl.it/7NewsDailyFacebook https://www.facebook.com/7NewsAustraliaTwitter https://twitter.com/7NewsAustraliaInstagram https://www.instagram.com/7newsaustralia/ 7NEWS combines the trusted and powerful news brands including Sunrise, The Morning Show, The Latest, and 7NEWS.com.au, delivering unique, engaging and continuous coverage on the issues that matter most to Australians. LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) Dozens of people were arrested, and more than 5,000 pounds of methamphetamine and nearly $16 million was seized in the Southern California area amid a nationwide operation . Nationwide News Pty Ltd 2023. A bankrupt and former nightclub bouncer from Bankstown well into his 30s, Santos had spent a few months before the bust flying passengers across the country in his Aztec in a bid to meet the minimum flying hours required to obtain a commercial pilot's licence. Property seized included 3.7 tonnes of drugs, 104 weapons, $44,934,457 million in cash and assets expected to run into millions of dollars. "We've got the president - there was actually a structure in place - there are a number of other people that we are waiting to see when and if they will be patched, and that was going to happen (this) weekend," WA Serious and Organised Crime Division Superintendent Jim Migro told reporters on Friday. Twelve people have been arrested, including senior leaders of the Comancheros and Rebels gangs, after a major drug bust operation on Wednesday. Police said the raids targeted a group believed to be involved in the importation, distribution and manufacture of methamphetamine and MDMA. Today's arrests include a leader of the Comancheros gang, who allegedly formed a partnership with a senior member of the Rebels gang in Christchurch, with both allegedly running drug distribution networks in their areas, police said in a statement. Alleged criminals were tricked into sending messages to their criminal associates around the world via the encrypted messaging app, 'AN0M'. The 5-year hunt for Comancheros gang boss. The country's Federal Police released pictures of the wealth, firepower and even taste in gangster movies of those arrested during sweeping raids across the country, the U.S., Britain andwider Europe after the alleged criminals were covertly monitored for three years using an encrypted communication app called 'AN0M'. Australia's biggest ever police bust has seen not only seen the arrests of the Who's Who of the globalcriminal underworld, but yielded an extraordinary haul of 3.77 tonnes of drugs, $45 million in cash, guns, luxury cars, motorbikes and watches. Police have arrested 12 people, including senior members of the Comancheros and Rebels gangs, as part of an operation targeting the drug trade. Were sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. With his eyes glued to the yoke, dials and switches, Santos hadn't spotted the small army of uniformed officers. Coster said Thursdays bust was a significant result by the National Organised Crime Group to combat community hard caused by meth. Stuffs ethical reporting is built on accuracy, fairness and balance. "We believe the termination of these operations will have a significant impact on New Zealand's organised crime scene.". Encrypted platforms were designed to prevent law enforcement agencies from monitoring such criminal activities. Pictured: ammunition seized by police, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the AFP operation, known as Operation Ironside, had struck a 'heavy blow' against criminals, Hakan Ayik (pictured) gave police extensive access to the world's criminal underworld throughencrypted communications app AN0M. Ninja Warrior 2017 contestant Sopiea Kong was among those arrested. Contribute to chinapedia/wikipedia.en development by creating an account on GitHub. Manukau District Court documents seen by Stuff allege five men participated in an organised criminal group with the shared objective of obtaining material benefits from the possession of methamphetamine for supply. Kong, who was also allegedly in possession of $2,030 cash and a revolver, was granted bail and will appear in court on June 28. Alleged crooks even paid six-monthly subscription fees to the police - the money only further reinforcing law enforcement methods. More arrests are expected domestically and offshore under a coordinated global response connected to Operation Ironside. It follows the first phase of Operation Cincinnati in October when 26 people were arrested and kilos of drugs was seized, along with multiple firearms and more than $10 million in assets. Desperate drivers are taking to social media to buy and sell demerit points, risking eye-wateringly expensive fines in the process. www.heraldsun.cohttps://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/how-operation-ironsides-an0m-sting-put-a-hole-in-bikie-gangs/news-story/02b33f401ffff4ec7c87546646fcc5c9. Ukraine soldiers shoot down enemy drones with drones of their own, Wheel of Fortune contestant answers food puzzle wrong, Pavement where disabled woman gestured at cyclist before fatal crash, Pro-Ukrainian drone lands on Russian spy planes exposing location, 'Buster is next!' We are still coming.'. Wed, 16 June 2021 2:00AM AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw said the alleged syndicate included 'someof the most dangerous criminals toAustralia'. They were arrested in April 2019 during a major police bust. Supt Migro said the investigation was ongoing. "I did say this as this was the defence I was running," he wrote in a letter from Acacia Prison. "We have got a lot of people with large sums of money, very disposable income - great targets for organised crime - and that's why organised crime from all groups are starting to look at and concentrate on WA. For more than 18 months, Anom's criminal users unknowingly communicated on the system operated by FBI agents. Alleged bikies and associates make up one third of the hundreds of arrests made under Operation Ironside, along-term covert investigation into organised crime allegedly responsible for huge drug imports. "They are establishing themselves here in WA.". If Stuff is a regular part of your day, please consider becoming a supporter. 'THEY ARE COMPROMISED, LIARS AND YOUR DATA IS RUNNING VIA USA'. Ayik, then in his early 30s, had made a fortune by forging alliances with Chinese triads, Indian chemical suppliers, the Comancheros outlaw motorcycle gang and known underworld figures to create a multi-billion dollar international drug syndicate spanning across continents. A joint investigation led to the largest ever interception of methamphetamine at the border. Sitting at Acacia Prisons crowded visitor room, he says it all began with a phone call from a client looking for a plane ride from Bankstown, in Sydneys south-west, to Jandakot. A scuffed copy of the Koran. A 33-year-old man from the Comanchero bikie gang was identified by police as the alleged principal offender who engaged in the trafficking and supply of drugs along with other associates. (Supplied) abc.net.au/news/adf-sniper-bikie-boss-joshua-faulkhead-jailed-drugs-charges/6849724 A former Australian Defence Force (ADF) sniper who headed the drug trade in Victoria's Mildura region as a Comancheros bikie boss has been sentenced to nine years and five months in jail. Police seized almost $2m in drugs and property after raids on a Comancheros bikie gang drug trafficking syndicate. Officers from Strike Force Garlow found $3 million worth of methylamphetamine at a dilapidated drug lab on a rural property in Kulnura and arrested 2 men aged 48 and 35 who were allegedly making the drug ice and dealing in the proceeds of crime.Police also seized methylamphetamine oil, more than 20kg of precursor chemicals, drug manufacturing equipment and $220,000 in cash.It's understood the drugs were being made under an agreement between the Nomads and Comancheros. They allegedly used the app, secretly developed by the FBI, to message each other around the world, unaware everything they said and did was being intercepted by FBI special agents and the Australian Federal Police. The police sting has 'significantly impacted' the Comancheros and their business model as alleged club figures Mark Buddle and alleged drug kingpin Hakan Ayik remain on the run from authorities overseas. The Comancheros are regarded as one of the most violent motorcycle gangs in Australia. But until now, its role in one of the biggest law enforcement operations in Australian history has remained a mystery. Senior leaders of the Comancheros and Rebels gangs have been arrested and hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash seized following a raft of armed police raids across Auckland and Christchurch. The pair were arrested at the airport and ultimately charged with two counts of possession with intent to sell or supply, and sentenced to 15 years in jail. Twelve people, aged between 20 and 42, will appear in the Auckland District Court in the coming days on various drug related charges. Hakan Ayik with a lingerie-clad companion.Credit: The goods were shipped from overseas to Australia's ports, where dodgy wharfies would turn a blind eye to the cargo for the right reward. 'Essentially, they have handcuffed each other by endorsing and trusting AN0M and openly communicating on it not knowing we were watching the entire time.'. 7NEWS can reveal the bust is linked to exiled bikie Mark Buddle of the Comancheros.Police are making good progress dismantling his alleged empire of organised crime. Santos reckons airport workers tipped off the police during one of the fuel stops, when Micalizzi refused to leave the aircraft despite airport protocol. Pasilika Naufahu is on trial for drug, money laundering and organised crime charges. New Zealand Police say they have dealt a "huge blow" to organised crime after a major trans-national sting resulted in 35 arrests and $3.7 million in assets seized. He is Australia's most wanted man after fleeing Sydney for Turkey more than a decade ago when he was linked to a $230 million heroin importation syndicate. Hayden Burber, 33,alleged treasurer of the South Australian Comanchero, Christian Taumoefolau, 31, allegedSergeant-at-Arms of the Victorian Comanchero, Eren Kaya, 28, alleged Sergeant-at-Arms from Victoria, Muhammed Topal,25, Victorian-based brother of high-ranking Comanchero figure Hasan Topal, Emmanuel Vamvoukais, 40, alleged sergeant-at-arms of the NSW South Coast, Elias Elchaar, 49, alleged national sergeant-at-arms of the Lone Wolf gang, The comments below have not been moderated, By Some 224 people have been arrested, $44,934,457 in cash seized, as well as 104 weapons, 3.7 tonnes of drugs and multi-million dollar assets. It's GRAYGATE! More charges are expected to be laid as Australian Federal Police work their way through the 25 million messages intercepted by the encrypted app. He had done the trip a handful of times before. Details of the failed drug trafficking plan emerged following the termination of Operation Trojan Shield - described as the "sting of the century" and a huge blow to New Zealand's criminal fraternity. Ayik, subbed one of the world's most prolific drug-smuggling masterminds, was later detained in Cyprus but then escaped and fled to Turkey, where he has created a new life. He is due to appear in Cleveland Magistrates Court on January 20. MDMA, cash and firearms were seized by police in October in Operation Cincinnati. Some 21 execution plots were foiled and drug and gun smuggling networks dismantled. 'There will be people out there who think they're okay, because they weren't on the AN0M platform. Police have charged 224 alleged offenders with 525 charges, shut down six clandestine laboratories and acted on 21 threats to kill, including saving a family of five. The phones were stripped down - they couldn't even make calls, access the internet or send emails. But after Anthony 'You'll be missed forever': Elizabeth Hurley and son Damian share heartfelt tribute to her late ex Shane Mamma Mia! "WA police," a robust voice said firmly from the other side of the metal. China increases military spending in face of 'escalating' threats, Treaty ahoy! New Zealand investigators monitored thousands of messages made on 57 encrypted criminal devices. ANoM's website, which was only deleted about 10am on Tuesday, made the technology sound bulletproof. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has seized approximately one million pills laced with fentanyl allegedly linked to the Sinaloa Cartel in what authorities say is the biggest bust for . The arrests were made after 24 properties were. It was the biggest drug bust in WA history and a day law enforcement officers . He is due to appear in Cleveland Magistrates Court on January 20. How Boris Johnson's Partygate tormentor Sue Gray is now enmeshed in her own row - as it is DAN HODGES: This grubby Sue Gray recruitment annihilates all pretence that Sir Keir Starmer is a man of Matt Hancock discussed 'deploying' new virus variant to 'frighten the pants off everyone' as former Health 'So many dead. But intelligence information gleaned from the police operation revealed the plan to investigators and police swooped. UN states finally agree deal to protect high seas. He is due to appear in Cleveland Magistrates Court on Tuesday. If you value facts and being well-informed, please consider supporting Stuff. But they're not okay. Find out more about our policy and your choices, including how to opt-out. Were working to restore it. The near year-long operation came to a climax on Sunday and Monday when detectives swarmed on multiple properties across Broadbeach Waters, Gaven, Tamborine, Rochdale, Steiglitz, Cleveland, Holland Park, Capalaba, Caboolture, Mount Nathan and Rockhampton. Its bits and bobs are now scattered across his verandah and the tail and fuselage sit in a backyard in Perth's north, a dire reminder of the plane that once sat in the middle of Australia's own war on drugs and that changed law enforcement forever. Coster thanked Customs for its exceptional profiling of shipments from high-risk countries. Mildura Comancheros boss Joshua Faulkhead, 39, pleaded guilty to charges related to trafficking of the drugs ice, cocaine and ecstasy, as well as blackmail and causing injury. Another nine were allegedly linked to the Rebels, eight to the Lone Wolf gang, and a handful linked to the Mongols, Finks, and Bandidos, News Corp reported. Be part of our story, and help us tell yours. Because with the pandemic situation constantly changing, its easy for misinformation and rumours to take hold. Charles 'will NEVER build real relationship with Archie and Lili unless Harry and Meghan get new royal 'Putin has STOLEN our Ukrainian children': Distraught parents tell how THOUSANDS of youngsters never EMILY PRESCOTT: Sarah Ferguson 'confused' after seeing photos from goddaughter's wedding she thought she was Joe Biden is 'unlikely' to attend King Charles' coronation due to Ireland trip - despite promising to A 14-year-old autistic boy's naive prank. 51K views, 164 likes, 10 loves, 53 comments, 86 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from 7NEWS Sydney: 7NEWS can reveal the bust is linked to exiled bikie Mark Buddle of the Comancheros. Waikato Mongrel Mob's public relations liaison, Lou Hutchinson, took to Twitter to say: "Lol do you seriously believe all the bullsh*t spin about the Waikato Mongrel Mob Kingdom [sic] this is a total smear campaign driven by the NZ Police, politicians and mainstream media! Six people have been charged over a major methamphetamine importation and the biggest drug bust in New Zealand history. 'Andthese figures are likely to increaseover the coming days. WEST Australian police have arrested the WA president of the Comanchero bikie gang and three associates after seizing 5.2kg of methamphetamine in a joint operation with NSW police. Just after 3am, with Micalizzi's bag safety stowed in the cargo hold, the pair took off in the Aztec, leaving Bankstown's runway behind en route to Whyalla, the first refuelling stop on the 15-hour journey to Jandakot.