AFP launches raid on alleged criminal syndicate

The Australian Federal Police allege the “global organised crime app” was used for drug trafficking, money laundering and ordering murders.

Key Points

According to AFP, the Ghost platform included encrypted smartphones that sold for $2,350 each.
Federal police have decoded Ghost messages to prevent violent crimes and dismantle criminal gangs.
According to AFP, there were 376 devices active in Australia.
Five arrests were made in Sydney, and further arrests and search warrants were issued across Australia.
Police have seized $2 million worth of assets, drugs, cryptocurrencies and bank accounts linked to criminal gangs.
According to AFP, the investigation prevented the deaths of 50 Australians.

Crucial quote

“We allege that hundreds of criminals, including Italian organised crime, members of criminal motorcycle gangs, organised crime from the Middle East and organised crime from Korea, have used Ghost in Australia and abroad to import illegal drugs and order killings,” the AFP said in a statement.

What is Ghost?

The Ghost platform, which federal law enforcement says was created nine years ago, is an encrypted communications network allegedly built for the criminal underworld. It is alleged that a network of resellers sold modified smartphones, each priced at $2,350, which included access to the encrypted platform and six months of technical support.

“The operator regularly pushed out software updates, just like those required for regular mobile phones. However, the AFP was able to modify those updates, effectively infecting the devices, giving the AFP access to the content on devices in Australia,” an AFP statement said.

Criminal organizations around the world, including Italian organized crime, criminal motorcycle gangs, organized crime in the Middle East and organized crime in Korea, are said to have used Ghost for drug trafficking, money laundering and even ordering assassinations, AFP reported.

The AFP said it had developed a secret solution to infiltrate the platform, allowing it to decrypt and read messages in real time, allowing authorities to gather critical intelligence and dismantle criminal syndicates.

Main background

Operation Kraken, launched by the AFP in 2022, targeted the Ghost platform. Since the operation began, 38 arrests have been made, 71 search warrants executed. Also, 25 weapons and 200 kg of illegal drugs have been seized.

Further arrests related to Operation Kraken have been made in Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and the ACT. Seized assets include drugs, cryptocurrencies and bank accounts. In WA, police seized $2 million as part of an arrest.

Police actions are taking place in Europe and Canada regarding Ghost.

The investigation is significant because it is the first time an Australian resident has been accused of creating and operating a global criminal platform, the AFP said. Up to 50 people could face charges in connection with the platform.

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