Bikies, convicted criminals, and a Sydney-based Chinese drug cook codenamed "the chemist" have allegedly been caught running a sophisticated supply racket in the ACT's prison.
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But covert surveillance and a series of raids earlier this year helped smash the alleged syndicate and net almost $85,000 cash and about 830 grams of drugs.
The lucrative operation is alleged to have smuggled cannabis, methylamphetamine, and mobile phones, reportedly sold for $1500 each, into the jail.
One prisoner allegedly boasted of bringing $20,000 worth of contraband into the prison in one shipment.
The ring is said to involve a number of low level smugglers and couriers, operating under a well-known career Canberra criminal and the Chinese drug cook.
It is also understood to be linked to a Rebels bikie and a Brothers4Life gang member.
Police charged five people during an operation in May, but details have remained secret since.
But Fairfax Media can now reveal up to six people are expected to face prosecution in the ACT as a result.
Four alleged members have now been summonsed to appear in the ACT Magistrates Court in relation to the alleged ring in December.
The alleged syndicate includes convicted killer Anthony John Hagen, 55, alleged ringleader Thor Kristiansen, 26, Ryan Malec, 26, and Bianca Rasic, 24.
Members of the group have been charged with a range of offences, including drug trafficking, conspiracy, drug possession, participating in a criminal group, having a phone in jail, and money laundering.
A fifth alleged member, Menka Krsteska, 23, of Karabar in NSW, has already appeared before the courts.
She has pleaded not guilty to charges of drug possession and trafficking.
Three men – Adley Tsang, 41, Adnan Hamdoun, 27, and Tsun Hin Chan, 26 – are also before the NSW courts on drug charges in relation to the alleged syndicate.
It is understood that police will allege Kristiansen and Hagen ran the network from behind the walls of the Alexander Maconochie Centre.
Phone intercepts allegedly caught Kristiansen organising the supply of ice from Tsang and directing Rasic, Malec, and Krsteska to collect and deliver drugs, money, and other contraband, such as mobile phones.
The drugs were then smuggled into the AMC via a number of methods, including during visits.
Calls between Kristiansen and Hagen allegedly discuss the strength and taste of drugs, and previous losses.
During one call, Kristiansen is said to have boasted that the syndicate had smuggled $20,000 worth of contraband in one visit, and detailed how he sold phones in the jail for $1500 each.
Calls to Rasic allegedly discuss the collection and supply of contraband, which included picking up items from a Canberra Rebels bikie.
A Brothers4Life member also allegedly helped arrange the collection of drugs in Sydney.
Neither gang member has been charged in relation to the investigation.
Searches allegedly found cannabis, ice, and phones in Kristiansen and Hagen's possession at the AMC.
Further raids at the jail allegedly found phones, a list of phone numbers, clip seal bags, a glass pipe, almost three grams of ice, and 0.1 grams of cannabis.
A raid at a Chapman property linked to the syndicate allegedly uncovered ammunition, 250 grams of cannabis, and $79,540 in cash which had been hidden in bundles around the home.
A NSW police sting in Sydney in May allegedly caught Chan and Hamdoun during a deal and seized 516.5 grams of ice and $6134 in cash.
A raid on Tsang's home allegedly found 60 grams of ice, and chemistry equipment and chemicals believed to be used in manufacturing drugs.
