Fake driver's licences, thousands of rounds of ammunition and a massive wad of cash are among items seized by police as a sting operation that has already nabbed hundreds of alleged criminals set its sights on more.
Police in June revealed more than 220 Australian organised crime figures have been arrested since 2018 after they used an encrypted online secretly overseen by the US FBI to discuss murder plots, weapon purchases and mass drug trafficking.
On Friday, the Australia Federal Police announced more people have been arrested and charged this week during phase two of Operation Ironside.
More than 20 search warrants were executed across Sydney, as a result of intelligence collected from the AN0M app, with another eight men now to face court on drug and proceeds of crime offences.
Police seized 21 suspected encrypted devices, more than three kilograms of cocaine, fake NSW drivers licences, more than $330,000 in cash, a watch worth $500,000, firearms, a silencer and thousands of rounds of ammunition.
"The results from this week are only the beginning of Operation Ironside Phase II, which will focus on drug supply chains and the activities of criminal groups, including outlaw motorcycle gangs," AFP Detective Superintendent Matthew Ciantar said.
Australian Border Force officers are also assessing security clearances at the airports to identify any insiders in the supply chain of illicit drugs into and around Australia.
.jpg?w=600)
