Officials say more than 800 suspected criminals have been caught around the world after being duped into using an FBI-run encrypted chat app.
The ANOM software was discreetly distributed among criminals, allowing authorities to monitor their talks regarding drug smuggling, money laundering, and even murder plans. The operation was co-conceived by Australia and the FBI.
It was dubbed a “watershed moment” by officials.
Drug cartels and mafia figures were among the targets.
Drugs, weapons, luxury vehicles and cash were also seized in the operation, which was conducted across more than a dozen countries.
This included eight tons of cocaine, 250 guns and more than $48m (£34m) in various worldwide currencies and cryptocurrencies.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the operation had “struck a heavy blow against organised crime” around the world.
European Union police agency Europol described Operation Trojan Shield/Greenlight as the “biggest ever law enforcement operation against encrypted communication”.
What was discovered?
In total, some 9,000 police officers around the world were involved in the sting.
Drugs, weapons, luxury vehicles and cash were also seized in the operation, which was conducted across more than a dozen countries. This included eight tons of cocaine, 250 guns and more than $48m (£34m) in various worldwide currencies and cryptocurrencies.
In Australia, 224 people were arrested including members of outlaw motorcycle gangs, mafia groups, Asian crime syndicates, and serious and organised crime groups.
Police said they also seized three tonnes of drugs and A$45m (£25m; $35m) in cash and assets, and acted on 20 “threats to kill”, potentially saving the lives of a “significant number of innocent bystanders”.
Mr Morrison said the sting, which was called Operation Ironside, was “a watershed moment in Australian law enforcement history”.
New Zealand police said 35 people in the country had been arrested, and about NZ$3.7m (£1.9m, $2.7m) of assets seized.
The agency did not break down the arrests in each country, but local officials said they included 70 people in Sweden and 49 in the Netherlands, according to Reuters news agency.
Linda Staaf, the Swedish police’s head of intelligence, said the operation had prevented 10 murders
