AFP conducts raid on crime syndicate, charges creator of criminal app
38 individuals were apprehended this week.
After a series of crackdowns on a suspected crime syndicate and the developer of an encrypted messaging app tailored for criminal activities, numerous individuals have been apprehended.
They have been accused of engaging in illegal drug trafficking, conspiring, tampering with records, aiding a criminal organization, and possessing firearms.
The majority of the arrests occurred in New South Wales, with suspects in Victoria, South Australia, and the ACT also being apprehended.
This operation involved 700 Australian Federal Police (AFP) officers and an international task force focused on investigating offshore connections.
It is believed that Italian, Korean, and Middle Eastern organized crime groups utilized the app for international encrypted communications.
During the raids, AFP officers confiscated 205 kilograms of illegal drugs, 25 firearms, and $1.2 million (US$812,000) in cash.
38 individuals were taken into custody following over 70 searches conducted across the country this week.
Jay Je Yoon Jung, a 32-year-old man from Sydney, is among the key suspects, charged with developing and operating the “Ghost” platform.
The Narwee resident is the first Australian to be accused of creating such an application. Allegedly, he established and launched the platform nine years ago at the age of 23.
He was apprehended early on Tuesday morning at his residence in southern Sydney where he resides with his parents.
He is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday.
AFP offices nationwide will analyze the evidence gathered during the raids, referred to as the “forensic tail,” which may take several months to complete due to the volume and complexity of the items involved.
The AFP and FBI have previously utilized similar platforms to gather evidence on murder schemes, drug trafficking, and weapon procurement on the network, as criminals believed it was secure
In 2021, it was divulged that it was part of a law enforcement operation.