VIC: Ironside South-Andiamo (case study)

IRONSIDE SOUTH-ANDIAMO led to the dismantling of an Australian-based arm of a transnational organised crime syndicate including a high-priority target and alleged Australian ringleader of the criminal group in Melbourne.

This AFP-led investigation revealed an alleged Victorian criminal syndicate conspiring to import 1.6 tonnes of methamphetamine and cocaine from the USA and India between July and October 2021.

Seven people believed to be the entire alleged onshore criminal network, were arrested in Melbourne as part of IRONSIDE SOUTH-ANDIAMO, including the suspected syndicate ringleader on Monday 7 June, 2021.

It is alleged the syndicate ringleader and main target, a 37-year-old Melbourne man, was responsible for allegedly coordinating and planning illicit drug imports to Australia.

As a result of IRONSIDE intelligence, AFP investigators arrested the entire onshore criminal syndicate, with seven alleged members taken into custody during search warrants across Melbourne on Monday 7 June, 2021.

IRONSIDE intelligence has led to prevention of a 1.6 tonne international illicit drugs conspiracy and the complete dismantling of a sophisticated transnational criminal syndicate.

Thanks to this intelligence, top-tier ranking syndicate members are now in police custody.

Investigators believe without IRONSIDE insight, the syndicate ringleaders would otherwise appear invisible to law enforcement.