Dozens charged during 'unprecedented' AN0M app police sting
Nearly 60 people have been charged in South Australia as part of a joint organised crime sting linked to an encrypted app.
Police swarmed on multiple properties during 23 early-morning raids across Adelaide and regional SA today, arresting dozens of people with alleged links to bikie gangs and at least one alleged member.
Officers made 55 arrests, including six people already in custody, as part of an "unprecedented" phase of Operation Ironside.
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Dozens of people have been charged during an "unprecedented" AN0M app police sting. 9News
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The 55 alleged offenders are facing a combined 813 charges, including allegations of money laundering, drug trafficking and drug manufacturing offences.
Police also seized more than $25.8 million in assets.
Among the seized assets are 24 properties, 70 cars, $142,000 in cash and bank accounts totalling $588,000.
SA Deputy Commissioner of Police Linda Williams. 9News
Police conducted the dawn raids after collecting evidence from 2.5 million messages on AN0M devices.
AN0M devices are made to look like a normal phone with an encrypted messaging app hidden behind a calculator app, according to police.
Police allege these phones are purchased on the black market and cannot make calls or send emails.
They can only communicate with other devices with the AN0M app.
Among the seized assets are 24 properties, 70 cars. $142,000 in cash and bank accounts totalling $588,000. South Australia Police
The AFP has built a capability that allows police to access, decrypt and read messages on these phones.
Police allege the data included "significant" evidence of drug trafficking and money laundering.
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Some of the arrested individuals are either members or associates of bikie gangs in SA, SA Deputy Commissioner of Police Linda Williams said.
Nearly 300 police officers were involved in today's raids.
Operation Ironside was launched in 2021 alongside Australian Federal Police and has so far resulted in 164 arrests.
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