TeCHnology

European and Australian police join forces with FBI to seize weapons, drugs and $148m in cash

The FBI set up its own encrypted platform used by hundreds of criminals around the world, in an “unprecedented” sting operation that led to more than 800 arrests in 18 countries, law enforcement officers have said.

The operation by the FBI and Australian and European police, ensnared suspects in Australia, Asia, Europe, South America and the Middle East involved in the narcotics trade.

More than 800 suspected members of organised crime gangs were arrested and $148m in cash seized in raids around the world, along with tonnes of drugs, cryptocurrencies, weapons and luxury cars.

At a press conference in San Diego, the FBI said it was behind An0m, a supposedly secure encrypted messaging app, which was secretly developed and sold to organised crime networks.