United States Attorney Tara K. McGrath | U.S. Department of Justice
Osemah Elhassen, a resident of Sydney, Australia, has been sentenced to 63 months in prison by a federal court in San Diego. Elhassen was involved in a global conspiracy to distribute encrypted communication devices known as ANOM to criminal syndicates. These devices were used to facilitate drug trafficking and other illegal activities.
Elhassen was among 17 individuals indicted in connection with Operation Trojan Shield, an international law enforcement operation where the FBI operated an encrypted messaging network used by criminals. This led to numerous arrests worldwide. The ANOM platform, under FBI control, enabled agents to collect over 27 million messages from users globally before it was shut down in June 2021.
In May 2024, Elhassen pleaded guilty to charges of racketeering conspiracy related to the ANOM enterprise. As part of his plea agreement, he admitted involvement in drug trafficking and money laundering activities. He distributed ANOM devices for more than a year and facilitated the movement of at least 15 kilograms of cocaine.
The government’s filings revealed that Elhassen's communications indicated extensive distribution of ANOM devices primarily in Colombia and other regions. His activities included providing device support and managing subscription renewals.
Elhassen was arrested in Colombia in June 2021 and extradited to California two years later. U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath stated, “Despite use of sophisticated technology and extreme measures to conceal the criminal enterprise, Mr. Elhassen could not thwart federal investigators.” FBI Special Agent Stacey Moy emphasized that distributors like Elhassen were enabling transnational criminal organizations through these services.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua C. Mellor, Mikaela L. Weber, and Peter S. Horn with significant assistance from various international agencies including Colombian law enforcement authorities.
Three additional defendants have also pleaded guilty: Dragan Nikitovic (aka Dr. Djek), Edwin Harmendra Kumar (aka Edwin Harmendra Valentine), and Miwand Zakhimi (aka Maiwand Zakhimi). Their sentencing is scheduled for December 2024 and January 2025 respectively, while trials for others are set for March 2025.
Operation Trojan Shield is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces investigation aimed at dismantling high-level criminal networks threatening the United States.
