An international law enforcement operation has dismantled encrypted communication platform, Ghost, notorious for enabling large-scale drug trafficking and money laundering, marking a significant blow to global organized crime networks.

Europol and law enforcement from nine countries successfully dismantled an encrypted communications platform called "Ghost," which was used by organized crime such as drug trafficking and money laundering.

Australian police said Wednesday they have infiltrated Ghost, an encrypted global communications app developed for criminals, leading to dozens of arrests.

An Australian man accused of creating a secret app for criminals use part of an international crime syndicate was arrested Tuesday with dozens of others in an ongoing global sting operation involving several nations.

Europol and law enforcement agencies from nine countries have teamed up to dismantle an alleged criminal communications platform. A total of 51 suspects were arrested, 38 in Australia, where the app's creator resides.

18, 2024, that they have penetrated an encrypted global communications app developed for criminals called Ghost, leading to dozens of arrests. More Australian Federal Police/AP Photo "We allege hundreds of criminals, including Italian organized crime ...

The crackdown is the latest operation by international agencies to decode encrypted messaging services used by criminals to manage their international operations, following the takedown of platforms such as EncroChat and Sky ECC in recent years.