In a sweeping crackdown, police executed a series of coordinated pre-dawn raids across Adelaide and regional South Australia. This extensive operation targeted properties believed to be connected to outlaw motorcycle gangs, resulting in dozens of arrests, including at least one confirmed gang member.

As part of the unprecedented phase of Operation Ironside, authorities apprehended 55 individuals, with six of those already in custody prior to the raids. The charges leveled against these alleged offenders are extensive, totaling 813 counts that encompass serious offenses such as money laundering, drug trafficking, and drug manufacturing.

In addition to the arrests, law enforcement officials confiscated assets valued at over $25.8 million. The impressive haul includes 24 properties, 70 vehicles, and substantial amounts of cash. Specifically, $142,000 in physical currency was seized alongside bank accounts containing $588,000.

This operation highlights a significant effort by authorities to dismantle organized crime networks and disrupt their illegal activities, sending a clear message of zero tolerance for such criminal enterprises.

Among the seized assets are 24 properties, 70 cars, $142,000 in cash and bank accounts totalling $588,000.

Police conducted the dawn raids after collecting evidence from 2.5 million messages on AN0M devices.

AN0M devices are made to look like a normal phone with an encrypted messaging app hidden behind a calculator app, according to police.

Police allege these phones are purchased on the black market and cannot make calls or send emails.

They can only communicate with other devices with the AN0M app.

The AFP has built a capability that allows police to access, decrypt and read messages on these phones.

Police allege the data included “significant” evidence of drug trafficking and money laundering.

Some of the arrested individuals are either members or associates of bikie gangs in SA, SA Deputy Commissioner of Police Linda Williams said.

Nearly 300 police officers were involved in today’s raids.

Operation Ironside was launched in 2021 alongside Australian Federal Police and has so far resulted in 164 arrests.