Tara K. McGrath, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of California
Alexander Dmitrienko of Finland has become the last of eight defendants extradited so far to plead guilty in a global conspiracy case involving ANOM encrypted communication devices. These devices were distributed to criminal syndicates, facilitating drug trafficking, money laundering, and obstruction of justice. The case is part of Operation Trojan Shield, an international law enforcement effort where the FBI secretly operated an encrypted messaging network.
The eight defendants are among 17 individuals indicted in San Diego in 2021. The ANOM enterprise was responsible for distributing over 12,000 devices across 100 countries. Criminal users unknowingly communicated on a system controlled by law enforcement, leading to more than 27 million messages being obtained and reviewed by the FBI.
These devices were used by over 300 criminal groups, including motorcycle gangs and international drug traffickers. The investigation led to a global crackdown on June 7, 2021, resulting in over 500 arrests and searches at more than 700 locations worldwide.
All eight extradited defendants have pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy charges related to the ANOM enterprise. They had previously filed motions to dismiss the indictment and suppress evidence but were denied by the District Court.
The investigation has resulted in approximately 1,200 arrests; seizure of significant quantities of drugs; and dismantling of drug labs. The plea agreements reveal that the defendants marketed ANOM as “Built by criminals for criminals” and acknowledged its use for illegal activities such as drug trafficking and money laundering.
U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath highlighted the operation's impact: "The statistics of this case are staggering." Stacey Moy from the FBI emphasized the operation's innovative approach: "This extraordinary impact came from an investigative strategy that relied on ingenuity."
Matthew Allen from the DEA praised partnerships: "The triumph of this vast-scale operation demonstrates the immense value of partnerships."
Elhassen and Zakhimi have been sentenced to prison terms, while others await sentencing. The defendants were extradited from various countries including Australia, Colombia, and Spain. Eight additional suspects remain outside U.S. custody.
This case is prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua C. Mellor, Mikaela L. Weber, and Peter S. Horn.
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Operation Trojan Shield is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) initiative which leverages federal, state, and local agencies against criminal networks.
The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs played a crucial role in securing arrests and extraditions related to this case.
