Dozens of arrests in the dismantling of the news network

More than 50 people have been arrested as part of a large-scale international investigation into the dismantling of an encrypted communications platform.

The platform, known as Ghost, was used for a wide range of criminal activities, including large-scale drug trafficking, money laundering, cases of extreme violence and other forms of serious and organized crime.

Europol and Eurojust worked with international law enforcement authorities to carry out the operation.

During the investigation, 51 suspects were arrested, including 38 in Australia, 11 in Ireland, one in Canada and one in Italy who belongs to the Italian mafia group Sacra Corona Unita.

According to Europol, several threats against human life were averted and a drug laboratory in Australia was dismantled.

Weapons, drugs and cash worth more than 1 million euros (842,270 pounds) have also been seized worldwide, the agency added.

In Ireland, the Gardaí (Irish police) seized cocaine worth a total of 15.2 million euros (12.8 million pounds) and 42 suspected encrypted devices.

They had investigated four identified organised crime groups and support networks based in Dublin and the Eastern Region.

On Monday, more than 300 Gardaí searched 27 premises.

Representatives from Europol, the Australian Federal Police and the US FBI were also in Ireland to support the ongoing operation.

During these searches, the investigating Gardaí seized:

• €300,000 (£252,795) in cash
• Two cryptocurrency keys (contents are being investigated)
• 42 devices suspected of being encrypted with Ghost ECC
• 126 additional mobile devices
• 27 laptops
• Over 200 SIM cards
• Six Rolex watches
• A Range Rover Jeep 2021

They also intercepted a semi-trailer truck in the southeast of the country on Monday.

After searching the truck, the police discovered 100 kg of cocaine hidden deep inside.

The value of this cocaine is being analysed by Forensic Science Ireland and is estimated at €7 million (£5.8 million).

Five men aged between 30 and 40 were arrested in connection with this part of the operation.

In a statement on Wednesday, An Garda Síochána said the Ghost platform had gained traction among criminal organisations due to its advanced security features.

Users can purchase the solution without providing personal information.

The solution used three encryption standards and offered the ability to send a message followed by a specific code that would cause all messages on the target phone to self-destruct.

This enabled criminal networks to communicate securely, evade detection, counteract forensic measures and coordinate their illegal activities across borders.

Several thousand people worldwide use the tool, which has its own infrastructure and applications as well as a network of resellers in several countries.

Around a thousand messages are exchanged via Ghost every day around the world.

With servers found in France and Iceland, the company owners in Australia, and financial assets located in the United States, a global operation was launched against the phone service.

As part of the worldwide investigation, further arrests are expected in addition to the 51 people already arrested.

Europol Executive Director Catherine De Bolle said the organisation had “made it clear that criminal networks, no matter how hidden they may be, cannot escape our joint efforts”.

“Law enforcement authorities from nine countries, together with Europol, have dismantled an instrument that was a lifeline for serious organised crime,” said Ms De Bolle.

Speaking at Europol headquarters in The Hague, An Garda Síochána Assistant Commissioner Justin Kelly said the dedication of his officers “demonstrates Ireland's continued commitment and ability to act at an international level against transnational organised crime gangs that cause so much harm and suffering not only in Ireland but in countries around the world.”

“Transnational networks of organized criminal groups know no borders and respect neither international borders nor legal norms,” he said.

“It takes a network to defeat a network, and today's announcement is a clear indication of the power of law enforcement networks to disrupt and dismantle the activities of these criminal networks.”

In response to a question from BBC Radio Ulster Additional evening programCommenting on the potential impact on Northern Ireland, Justin Kelly said: “So far, our investigations have identified just four criminal organisations, all based between Dublin and the east coast of Ireland, with their masterminds all based in the Dublin area.”

“The fact that such devices have not appeared in Great Britain or Northern Ireland is a relief, because there is no doubt that they would have appeared there very soon,” he added.

Regarding the extension of these crimes to Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK, he said the activities would “definitely” have an impact on Northern Ireland.

“People involved in the drug trade know no borders… Drug trafficking takes place across the island. Drugs are imported through Northern Ireland for the southern market just as they are imported through Ireland for the Northern Irish market.”