In a sweeping crackdown, police descended on various locations across Adelaide and regional South Australia early this morning, executing 23 raids that led to the apprehension of numerous individuals suspected of being connected to motorcycle gangs, including at least one purported gang member.
As part of a significant phase of Operation Ironside, law enforcement officials arrested 55 individuals, incorporating six who were already behind bars.
These detainees are collectively facing a staggering 813 charges, with accusations ranging from money laundering to drug trafficking and manufacturing.
Authorities confiscated assets exceeding $25.8 million in value.
The seized assets include an array of 24 properties, 70 vehicles, $142,000 in cash, and bank accounts amounting to $588,000.
The raids were executed following extensive intelligence gathering, which involved analyzing 2.5 million messages intercepted from 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.
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.
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.
