Operation Kraken: Heathridge man among those charged as part of AFP probe into secret app

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Operation Kraken: Heathridge man among those charged as part of AFP probe into secret app

New details about a major federal police investigation that targeted a secret app used by organised ****** networks have emerged, including how a WA man is among those charged.

Several dozen people have been taken into custody following multiple raids across the country by the *********** Federal Police targeting users and suppliers of the Ghost app — an app the AFP alleges was being used to traffic drugs, carry out money laundering and order killings.

The bulk of the arrests were in NSW, but people in Victoria, Western Australia and South Australia were also caught in the net in the AFP investigation codenamed Operation Kraken.

The alleged mastermind behind the secret app — a NSW man aged 32 — is among the 50 alleged *********** offenders accused of using Ghost, which the AFP alleges was built solely for use in the ********* underworld.

About 700 AFP members ********* 71 search warrants across the country during two days of action across four *********** states and territories on September 17-18.

Among those targeted was a 55-year-old Heathridge man.

The AFP has charged the man with allegedly refusing to provide police with access to an electronic device.

Camera IconOperation Kraken arrest. AFP Credit: AFP/Supplied

The man faced Perth Magistrates Court on Tuesday after the AFP ********* a search warrant at his home as part of Operation Kraken and as part of an ongoing investigation into an alleged WA ********* syndicate.

“Investigators found a mobile device — suspected to be a GhostECC dedicated encrypted communications device — wrapped inside a t-shirt and concealed in a chest of drawers, while searching a bedroom at the property,” the AFP said in a statement.

“The AFP will allege the man refused to provide investigators with access to the electronic device and was subsequently charged.”

The man is next expected to appear in court on October 4.

As part of Operation Kraken, the AFP’s ********* Assets Confiscation Taskforce has successfully restrained property in Perth valued at almost $2 million.

Cryptocurrency and two residential properties were restrained in August, 2024 under the Commonwealth Proceeds of ****** Act 2002.

“The assets were allegedly linked to a Perth man, who was identified as allegedly using the encrypted platform Ghost to communicate with other people being investigated by the AFP,” the AFP said.

WA Police Assistant Commissioner State ****** Tony Longhorn said encrypted platforms were constantly being used by organised ****** syndicates who were dealing in illicit drugs.

“They are using these encrypted platforms to distribute drugs and guns in our community and to launder their illicit profits,” Assistant Commissioner Longhorn said.

“Law enforcement is continually adapting to ********* behaviour. In Western Australia, like other states, we will continue to monitor trends and adapt our policing approach to directly counter the methods being used by organised ******.”

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