Operation Ironside Nets $37.9M Crypto in Global Crime Sting

Operation Ironside represents one of the most sophisticated law enforcement operations against organized crime in recent years, centered on AN0M – an encrypted messaging application that criminals believed offered impenetrable security. From 2018 to 2021, the FBI secretly controlled the platform, installing it on modified phones that lacked cameras, GPS, or browsers, making them appear purpose-built for covert criminal communications. The stripped-down design proved particularly appealing to drug traffickers, weapons dealers, and money laundering networks, who adopted the technology believing it would shield their activities from law enforcement scrutiny.

Rather than breaking the encryption, investigators built a hidden system that captured each message before encryption occurred. The FBI maintained master encryption keys that automatically duplicated communications to servers under law enforcement control, which were then shared with the Australian Federal Police. This technical approach allowed authorities to monitor criminal networks in real-time without alerting suspects to the compromise. According to Australian Federal Police data, at least 1,600 devices were running AN0M in Australia alone, generating approximately 19.3 million messages during the operation’s first two investigative waves.

The investigation gained critical momentum following an early October ruling from Australia’s High Court that confirmed intercepted AN0M messages could be used as evidence in criminal proceedings. The decision came after two suspects challenged the legality of how police gathered the communications, with the court ultimately rejecting their claim. Deputy Commissioner Linda Williams stated this ruling “paved the way [for us] to go to resolution today,” enabling the latest phase of enforcement that saw South Australia Police make 55 arrests over a single weekend.

The 800 new charges represent a significant expansion of ongoing Ironside cases, which already encompass financial crime and money laundering offenses. Authorities have traced cryptocurrency through wallet addresses and associated accounts, with seizures now totaling approximately A$58 million (US$37.9 million) according to 2024 estimates from the Australian Federal Police. This substantial crypto seizure underscores how digital assets have become integral to modern criminal operations, requiring equally sophisticated tracking and forensic capabilities from law enforcement agencies.

Operation Ironside occurs against a backdrop of increasing concern about criminal cryptocurrency use worldwide. Europol has noted that criminal crypto operations are becoming “increasingly sophisticated” and straining police resources across international jurisdictions. The successful third wave of arrests under Operation Ironside demonstrates how coordinated international law enforcement efforts can counter these evolving threats, though the technical complexity and resource requirements remain substantial challenges.

Despite the Albanese government’s regulatory progress this year, Australian public distrust of cryptocurrency remains remarkably high. Data compiled by Swyftx reveals that at least 60% of Australians don’t trust crypto, with 31% specifically citing lingering concerns about fraud. This persistent skepticism highlights the ongoing challenge facing legitimate cryptocurrency adoption, as high-profile criminal cases continue to shape public perception and reinforce associations between digital assets and illicit activities.