Strike Force Harskamp has dismantled an encrypted mobile phone network allegedly used by organized crime groups in New South Wales to coordinate murders and drug trafficking, according to law enforcement. The operation, which began in April 2025, targeted the “VIP” Organised Crime Network (OCN), which was accused of importing and encrypting devices before selling them to criminal groups. Detectives allege the network operated as a “commercial enterprise,” generating over $2 million annually through the sale of 1,000 devices each year.
Over 60 devices and accessories were seized during raids in Botany and Banksmeadow in the past month, with additional operations in Kogarah, Bexley, and Rockdale yielding 35 more devices, $35,000 in cash, and luxury watches. Three individuals, aged 25, 26, and 29, were arrested and charged with offenses including participating in a criminal group, recklessly dealing with proceeds of crime, and aiding the possession of devices used for serious crimes.
Organised Crime Squad Commander Peter Faux stated that over 3,000 devices linked to the network have been identified, which will be examined to determine their current users and activities. “This operation has struck at the heart of a criminal network that was allegedly deliberately arming organised crime groups with the tools to conceal their offending,” Faux said. The raids mark a significant disruption to what authorities describe as a “key enabler” of organized crime in NSW.
Did You Know? The VIP OCN was accused of importing encrypted devices from overseas, a method that allowed criminal groups to evade surveillance while coordinating activities like drug deals and violent crimes.
Expert Insight: The seizure of encrypted devices highlights the growing challenge law enforcement faces in combating technology-facilitated crime. By targeting the supply chain of these tools, authorities aim to disrupt operational secrecy, but the broader implications depend on how effectively they can trace and neutralize the networks using the devices.
The investigation is likely to focus on identifying the end-users of the seized devices and mapping their criminal activities. Authorities may also examine the financial flows tied to the network’s operations, though no further details have been disclosed. Legal proceedings against the arrested individuals are expected to proceed, with charges potentially setting a precedent for future cases involving encrypted communication tools used in organized crime.
Future steps could include collaborations with international agencies to trace the origin of the devices, as the network’s reliance on overseas imports suggests a transnational dimension. However, without additional information, the full scope of the operation’s impact remains unclear.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What was the VIP OCN accused of?
- Authorities allege the network imported and encrypted mobile devices, then sold them to criminal groups in NSW for use in organizing murders and drug deals.
- How many devices were seized?
- Over 95 devices were recovered across multiple raids, including 60 in Botany and Banksmeadow, and 35 in Kogarah, Bexley, and Rockdale.
- What charges were the arrested individuals facing?
- The three suspects, aged 25, 26, and 29, were charged with participating in a criminal group, recklessly dealing with proceeds of crime, and aiding the possession of devices used for serious crimes.
How might the disruption of this network affect organized crime activities in NSW in the coming months?
