Operation Kraken: A Strategic Blow to Organized Crime
In a meticulously coordinated effort, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) have mobilized up to 700 officers nationwide, executing dozens of search warrants as part of Operation Kraken. This operation is primarily focused on a 32-year-old man, Jay Je Yoon Jung, who is alleged to be the mastermind behind an encrypted communication platform known as ‘Ghost’, which has reportedly served the criminal underworld.
As the clock struck 3 AM, AFP officers departed from their Sydney headquarters, embarking on a series of pre-dawn raids. The operation targeted Jung’s residence in Narwee, a suburb in southwest Sydney, where he lived with his parents. Eyewitness accounts describe the scene as chaotic, with flashbangs deployed to disorient those inside.
Commander Paula Hudson of the AFP emphasized the urgency of the operation, noting that the platform Jung allegedly managed had the capability to erase communications at a moment’s notice. Despite his unassuming demeanor and a background devoid of prior criminal activity, Jung is now facing serious charges, including supporting a criminal organization and dealing in identification information.
According to Deputy Commissioner Ian McCartney, Jung, a self-identified computer enthusiast, was allegedly motivated by profit, facilitating serious criminal activities ranging from drug trafficking to money laundering. The Ghost app, which Jung purportedly created at the age of 23, was marketed as ‘tamper-proof’, attracting a clientele of organized crime syndicates, including the Hell’s Angels and various international crime groups.
The AFP has been aware of Ghost for seven years, but it was only in March that they successfully infiltrated the platform. Since then, they have monitored over 125,000 messages exchanged among criminals, leading to significant interventions, including the prevention of 50 threats to life. Hudson noted that the operation has already resulted in 46 arrests across Australia, with charges spanning illicit drug trafficking and firearm offenses.
Technical advancements played a crucial role in this operation. The AFP’s technical team, humorously referred to as “uber nerds,” developed innovative methods to access devices linked to the Ghost app. This allowed them to capture real-time communications, photographs, and videos, providing invaluable intelligence on organized crime activities.
In the aftermath of the raids, the AFP has seized over 210 kilograms of illicit drugs, 26 weapons, and .2 million in cash. The evidence collected will undergo extensive forensic analysis, a process that could take months, as investigators work to connect the dots between various criminal activities.
Operation Kraken follows the AFP’s previous success with Operation Ironside, which targeted another encrypted messaging platform, ANOM. The AFP’s ability to infiltrate Ghost has not only disrupted the operations of organized crime in Australia but has also opened new avenues for intelligence sharing with international partners.
As the dust settles from this extensive operation, the AFP remains vigilant, aware that organized crime will likely seek alternative communication methods. Hudson expressed the agency’s commitment to staying one step ahead, aiming to erode the confidence criminals have in such platforms.
The implications of Operation Kraken extend beyond immediate arrests; they signal a significant shift in the ongoing battle against organized crime, showcasing the AFP’s dedication to leveraging technology and international cooperation to safeguard communities.
