02:51 EDT, 1 July 2021
A teenager facing life in prison after being busted in the AN0M crime sting has been released on home detention over fears he would be in danger if he was kept locked up.
Apostle Broikos, 18, one of the youngest alleged associates of the crime syndicate Operation Ironside, was on May 19 charged with trafficking a large commercial quantity of a controlled drug in Yamba, northern New South Wales.
Operation Ironside was initiated after the United States FBI decrypted An0m , an online communications platform used by Australian gang figures.
In a three-year collaboration with the Australian Federal Police, the operation resulted in more than 250 arrests across Australia.
Hakan Ayik, 42, remains one of Australia s most wanted men after fleeing Sydney for Turkey more than a decade ago when he was linked to a $230 million heroin importation syndicate.
Teenager Apostle Broikos facing life in prison after being charged with trafficking drugs dailymail.co.uk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from dailymail.co.uk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
A teenager with a respected family and private school education is facing life in prison after allegedly becoming connected to Australia s largest ever crime sting.
Leading criminologists believe flamboyant Facebook Gangster and alleged drug lord Hakan Ayik will never give himself up after being caught in Operation Ironside.