The Deputy CEO of an Australian language service provider (LSP) has been arrested in connection with an international drug trafficking ring. According to an article in Melbourne’s local newspaper, The Herald Sun, Tekin Hulusi of ONCALL Language Services was one of dozens of people arrested last week by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) in a sting operation targeting users of a secret messaging app for criminals called “Ghost.” Hulusi has been charged with trafficking commercial quantities of methamphetamine, cocaine, and MDMA.
The Herald Sun article reported that police in the Australian state of Victoria expressed concerns over the arrest due to the LSP’s role providing interpreters and translators to government agencies and courts across the country. One source told the newspaper, “It undermines the proper administration of justice because interpreters play a critical role.” However, the charges against Hulusi do not allege he used his position at ONCALL to elicit confidential information from language professionals.
According to the article, Hulusi has been removed as the company’s Deputy CEO, and his brother Mustafa continues to run the business as CEO. The article quotes a spokesperson for ONCALL as saying the company “has never been contacted by any law enforcement agency raising any concerns with our interpreting services.” The spokesperson added, “We are a trusted and well-regarded interpreting agency.”
Hulusi’s arrest took place on September 17 as part of the AFP’s Operation Kraken. An AFP press release states, “About 700 AFP members executed search warrants and provided support during two days of action across four Australian states and territories. Near-simultaneous police action is being undertaken in Ireland, Italy, Sweden, and Canada… Up to 50 alleged Australian offenders accused of using Ghost are facing serious charges, including significant prison sentences.” Hulusi and an accomplice are accused of using the app to illegally transport about 128 kilograms of drugs in the first six months of 2024.
