Operation Kraken: More charges filed against alleged mastermind of criminal messaging app
A New South Wales man faces six more charges for his role in developing and managing the Ghost organized crime network.
A 32-year-old Narwee man has been charged with six additional offenses relating to his operation of a global criminal messaging network based on personalized smartphones.
The man was arrested last month (pictured) on September 17 by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) as part of Operation Kraken, an Australia-wide operation that saw a series of organized crime operations targeted after AFP agents infiltrate the messaging app after a Europol investigation. start in 2022.
Other police operations related to the dismantling of the Ghost network took place in Ireland, Italy, Sweden and Canada.
The new charges were filed during an appearance in Downing Center Local Court last week, on October 11.
The new positions are:
- One count of trafficking in proceeds of general crimes (over $1 million).
- One count of conspiracy to traffic a commercial quantity of a controlled drug (cocaine).
- One count of conspiracy to traffic a commercial quantity of a controlled drug (MDMA).
- A charge of dealing with money or property that is, and the person believes to be, the proceeds of an indictable crime valued at $50,000 or more.
- One count of possession of a proprietary encrypted communications device for the purpose of committing serious criminal activity.
- One count of contravening a requirement in a section 3LA order.
The man was previously charged with five offenses related to the operation of the Ghost network when he was first arrested, including supporting a criminal organisation. The man currently faces a possible life prison sentence on at least one of the charges.
“We allege that hundreds of criminals, including Italian organized crime, members of illegal motorcycle gangs, Middle Eastern organized crime and Korean organized crime, have used Ghost in Australia and overseas to import illicit drugs and order murders.” said AFP deputy commissioner Ian McCartney. a statement after the initial arrest.
“I want to thank all members of the AFP who have been involved in this operation: from investigators, intelligence members, technology experts and all other support capabilities.”
Operation Kraken has so far resulted in 48 arrests across the country.
