Latest news with #PeterFogarty
News.com.au
5 days ago
- News.com.au
NSW Corrective Services officer charged with corrupt conduct offences after allegedly smuggling encrypted phone into jail
A NSW Corrective Services officer has been charged with corrupt conduct offences after allegedly smuggling an encrypted phone into a prison. The man, 25, was identified by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) following the arrest of multiple Sydney men as part of Operation Kraken-Kamino in September 2024. The men are alleged to have used the encrypted app Ghost to organise drug importations and manufacture a false terrorism plot. 'Examinations of an encrypted device found in the possession of one of the men allegedly suggested a serving corrections officer exploited his position for the benefit of a criminal organisation,' the AFP said in a statement. Police allege this person smuggled a 'dedicated encrypted communications device' into a prison in exchange for money. AFP officers executed a search warrant at the man's Gables home, in Sydney's northwest, on September 27, 2024, allegedly seizing pistol rounds and electronic devices during the search. He was charged on May 16 this year with one count each of corruptly receiving a benefit less than $2000 and committing an offence for the benefit of, or at the direction of, a criminal organisation. The maximum penalty for both offences is seven years' imprisonment. The man was granted police bail and had his matter heard before Downing Centre Local Court on Tuesday. AFP Detective Superintendent Peter Fogarty said Australian taxpayers put trust in public officials to perform their roles prudently and act with integrity. 'Taking bribes, however big or small, erodes trust and weakens democracy,' Det Supt Fogarty said. 'Such actions have ripple effects. In this instance, we allege the man assisted a criminal syndicate alleged to be involved in drug and firearms trafficking, extortion and kidnapping. 'The AFP owes it to the Australian public to prosecute these matters to the full extent of the law.'
Perth Now
5 days ago
- Perth Now
Prison officer charged with corrupt conduct
A NSW Corrective Services officer has been charged with corrupt conduct offences after allegedly smuggling an encrypted phone into a prison. The man, 25, was identified by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) following the arrest of multiple Sydney men as part of Operation Kraken-Kamino in September 2024. The men are alleged to have used the encrypted app Ghost to organise drug importations and manufacture a false terrorism plot. 'Examinations of an encrypted device found in the possession of one of the men allegedly suggested a serving corrections officer exploited his position for the benefit of a criminal organisation,' the AFP said in a statement. Police allege this person smuggled a 'dedicated encrypted communications device' into a prison in exchange for money. In a statement, the AFP said an encrypted device allegedly found in possession of one of the men arrested during Operation Kraken-Kamino 'suggested a serving corrections officer exploited his position for the benefit of a criminal organisation'. NewsWire / Gaye Gerard Credit: News Corp Australia AFP officers executed a search warrant at the man's Gables home, in Sydney's northwest, on September 27, 2024, allegedly seizing pistol rounds and electronic devices during the search. He was charged on May 16 this year with one count each of corruptly receiving a benefit less than $2000 and committing an offence for the benefit of, or at the direction of, a criminal organisation. The maximum penalty for both offences is seven years' imprisonment. The man was granted police bail and had his matter heard before Downing Centre Local Court on Tuesday. AFP Detective Superintendent Peter Fogarty said Australian taxpayers put trust in public officials to perform their roles prudently and act with integrity. 'Taking bribes, however big or small, erodes trust and weakens democracy,' Det Supt Fogarty said. 'Such actions have ripple effects. In this instance, we allege the man assisted a criminal syndicate alleged to be involved in drug and firearms trafficking, extortion and kidnapping. 'The AFP owes it to the Australian public to prosecute these matters to the full extent of the law.'
1News
03-07-2025
- 1News
Australian trio arrested over mosaic tiles hiding $360m meth haul
The alleged importers of a stack of mosaic tiles were not planning a bathroom renovation, but rather are accused of hiding AU$333 million (NZ$360.4 million) in methamphetamine. The discovery led to the arrests of three men who face drug charges which could land them in prison for life. A shipment of tiles believed to have come from the Middle East was intercepted by border authorities in Sydney in April. Forensic testing found the 360 boxes contained about 360kg of methamphetamine with an estimated street value of AU$333 million (NZ$360.4 million). After removing the drugs, federal police delivered the boxes to a storage facility in Chullora in the city's southwest. ADVERTISEMENT Two Sydney men aged 56 and 39 allegedly collected the tiles, and expecting to be paid AU$50,000 (NZ$54,113.20) for their role. The men were arrested today and are expected to be charged with attempting to possess a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, which carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. The pair are expected to face court later today. After leaving Sydney, the tiles were tracked to Melbourne where they were delivered to a 39-year-old man, the alleged intended recipient of the drugs. Boxes of mosaic tiles used to hide $360 million in methamphetamine. (Source: Australian Federal Police) He faced court in May charged with the same drug importation charge along with refusing access to encrypted information and committing an offence while on bail. The man is next due to face Melbourne Magistrates Court on October 29. ADVERTISEMENT Devices allegedly linked to the plot were seized from his property. Both Australian Federal Police and Australian Border Force celebrated the arrests as a triumph of inter-agency co-operation. AFP Acting Commander Peter Fogarty said the arrests were part of the daily efforts of multiple agencies to combat organised crime and dangerous drugs. "Methamphetamine causes immense harm to users and their families and make our communities less safe," he said. "(The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare says) on average, 38 people were hospitalised each day in Australia for methamphetamine-related incidents in 2022-23."
