An Australian Federal Police (AFP) operation has charged more than 100 organised crime members after developing a world-leading capability to see criminals’ encrypted communications.
Commissioner of the AFP, Reece Kershaw said the Force’s Operation Ironside began almost three years ago and was the Australian component of a long-term, international, covert investigation which saw the AFP and United States’ Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) target an encrypted communications platform, AN0M, used exclusively by organised crime.
“More than 4,000 members from the AFP and State and Territory police have been involved in the execution of hundreds of warrants since 7 June 2021 under Operation Ironside, which covertly began three years ago,” Commissioner Kershaw said.
“Operation Ironside has led to the arrest of 224 offenders on 526 charges in every mainland Australian State,” he said.
Commissioner Kershaw said that since 2018, the AFP had also acted on 20 threats to kill, with intelligence referred to State police agencies.
He thanked the FBI for its cooperation, along with the 18 countries that worked with the AFP to maintain the integrity of the platform.
Commissioner Kershaw said more than 9,000 officers from law enforcement were deployed as part of the global operation and acknowledged the significant resources provided by Australia’s State and Territory police during the days of resolution.
“Today, Australia is a much safer country because of the extraordinary outcome under Operation Ironside,” he said.
“This world-first operation will give the AFP, State and Territory police years of intelligence and evidence.”
“There is also the potential for a number of cold cases to be solved because of Operation Ironside.”
Commissioner Kershaw said more arrests were expected domestically and offshore under a coordinated global response connected to the AFP Operation.
