Gardaí have seized drugs valued at €16 million and arrested 11 individuals following the successful dismantling of the encrypted communication platform, ”Ghost.”
This platform had been utilized by some of Ireland’s most prominent drug trafficking organizations.
Europol and the FBI supported the operation, which involved over 300 specialist officers from various Garda units.
It targeted four significant gangs based in Ireland, including ‘The Family,’ a notorious crime group led by brothers from west Dublin, known for considerable trafficking of cocaine and heroin.
Ghost managed from Australia, was used globally by criminal groups such as the Italian mafia, outlaw motorcycle gangs, and Korean mobs for drug trafficking, money laundering, and violent crimes.
This network’s takedown resulted from an extensive international investigation conducted across nine countries. So far, 51 suspects have been arrested in Australia, and additional arrests have been made in Canada and Italy.
The Garda National Drugs and Organized Crime Bureau (GNDOCB) led the investigation in Ireland. They identified four distinct organized crime gangs in Dublin and eastern Ireland using the Ghost platform for illegal activities.
On Monday, Gardaí carried out 33 property searches, recovering over €7 million worth of cocaine and €350,000 in cash. They also seized 42 Ghost devices, 126 mobile phones, 27 laptops, and 200 SIM cards.
Assistant Commissioner Justin Kelly emphasized the operation’s significance, noting that Ireland had the second-largest user base for the Ghost platform.
He highlighted the challenges of Irish crime groups operating abroad and underscored the importance of international law enforcement cooperation.
The Australian Federal Police reported that the investigation helped prevent 50 planned murders, with an additional 50 people facing charges related to these plots.
A 32-year-old man from Sydney who is believed to be the founder of the Ghost network is also under investigation.
In addition to drugs, Gardaí are investigating the proceeds of crime, including two cryptocurrency keys, six Rolex watches, and a 2021 Range Rover.
The Ghost platform, known for its advanced security features and anonymous usage, facilitated various criminal activities. Europol estimates that thousands of criminals worldwide used Ghost, including four Irish crime gangs, with further arrests expected as the international operation continues.
