18 September 2024, 2:12pm
Media Release
Operation Kraken: AFP charges WA man for allegedly refusing to provide access to an electronic device
Editor’s note: Arrest vision available via Hightail
The AFP has charged a Heathridge man with allegedly refusing to provide police with access to an electronic device.
The man, 55, faced Perth Magistrates Court yesterday (17 September, 2024) after the AFP executed a search warrant at his home yesterday morning as part of an Operation Kraken investigation into an alleged West Australian criminal syndicate.
Investigators found a mobile device - suspected to be a GhostECC dedicated encrypted communications device - wrapped inside a t-shirt and concealed in a chest of drawers, while searching a bedroom at the property.
The AFP will allege the man refused to provide investigators with access to the electronic device and was subsequently charged with the following offence:
- One count of failed to comply with an order under section 3LA(2) of the Crimes Act 1914 (Cth), contrary to section 3LA(6) of the Crimes Act 1914 (Cth).
The maximum penalty for the offence is 10 years’ imprisonment.
The man is next expected to appear in court on 4 October.
More information
Case studies
- Operation Kraken Rishi – Alleged criminal syndicate disrupted in Melbourne, exposed in takedown of Ghost platform
- Criminal syndicate dismantled as part of AFP takedown of encrypted organised crime network
- Six arrested following investigation into criminal syndicate accused of manufacturing false terrorism plot
- NSW-based drug organised crime syndicate dismantled, four men arrested
- Op Kraken-Ryloth: Victorian duo charged over alleged plans for illicit tobacco import
- Operation Kraken: AFP restrains almost $2 million in assets in WA investigation
- Operation Kraken-Veron: South Australian man charged for alleged role in criminal syndicate
