Australian Police Seize $37.9M Crypto in Massive Sting, Arrest 55

South Australian police have arrested 55 individuals and seized approximately $37.9 million in cryptocurrency as part of a sweeping law enforcement operation targeting organized crime.

The arrests are tied to over 800 charges including drug trafficking, weapons offenses, and conspiracy.

This action marks a significant escalation in combating crypto-enabled criminal networks.

This latest phase stems from the joint Operation Ironside, a coordinated effort between Australia’s federal police and the FBI.

The FBI-controlled encrypted app AN0M was key to infiltration efforts. Criminals unknowingly used these devices to communicate, allowing authorities to intercept nearly 19.3 million messages and gather vital evidence.

New Legal Ground Allows Encrypted Messages as Evidence

The High Court’s recent ruling permitting the use of intercepted encrypted messages as evidence bolstered the case for the arrests.

Authorities disclosed this legal backing has enabled them to pursue charges on a large scale, disrupting networks involved in illicit trade and firearms trafficking.

Europol has also weighed in, warning that cryptocurrency crimes are becoming increasingly sophisticated globally.

The $37.9 million in seized digital assets reflects not only the scale of illicit operations but also the growing reliance on cryptocurrencies in criminal activities.

South Australia Police noted the operation signals an evolution in law enforcement tactics as digital technologies transform both crime and police responses.

“This level of cooperation and innovation is necessary to tackle the complex challenges posed by encrypted communication and crypto transactions,” police officials said.