'The Family' gang has emerged as a dominant player

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Gardaí and representatives from Europol, the Australian Federal Police and Federal Bureau of Investigation during a police raid. The infiltration of encrypted messaging app, Ghost, used for criminal activities worldwide has led to the seizure of 15 million euro worth of cocaine and 11 arrests in Ireland.
Gardaí and representatives from Europol, the Australian Federal Police and Federal Bureau of Investigation during a police raid. The infiltration of encrypted messaging app, Ghost, used for criminal activities worldwide has led to the seizure of 15 million euro worth of cocaine and 11 arrests in Ireland.

What links an Australian app designer, a global police sting and this week’s drugs bust in Wexford?

A Dublin gang known as ‘The Family.’

Gardai say the group is now the primary drug trafficking cartel in Ireland after the Kinahan’s network was dismantled.

It’s alleged to be involved in the multi million euro seizure of guns and cash in Dublin and Wexford earlier this week.

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The tip-off came via Australian authorities which had infiltrated the Ghost messaging app.

The encrypted software created by 32 year old Sydney man, Jay Je Yoon Jung, was the platform of choice for much of the Irish criminal fraternity.

Security and Crime Editor Conor Lally explains how the Australian authorities hacked into the app, how it was used in Ireland and analyses how gangs here might react.

Presented by Aideen Finnegan. Produced by Declan Conlon and Aideen Finnegan