News Mega Merged Drug Bust Thread v. "Drug Wars" a Bust

[Jabberwocky]

Thanks, I will order it. I order my books via booktopia and it is slightly cheaper on there so I'll grab it from there.

2 people in that book I know personally and 1 I got to visit from time to time.

 

[S.J.B.]

I don't know if anyone has ever tallied the numbers but I would be willing to bet good money that Australia has the highest per-capita spending on illicit drugs in the world.

 

['medicine cabinet']

Damn 322 mil in Australia? What they get a couple kilos lol?

The price on coca is astrofuckingnomical in aus

 

[Psychedalienation]

All that pure pure pure fishscale coke Uncut [except for the one in the pic ] and beautiful. Rip :/

 

[Jabberwocky]

Damn 322 mil in Australia? What they get a couple kilos lol?

The price on coca is astrofuckingnomical in aus

LOL Didn't you ever play dopewars? AUS always had the highest prices.

On another note I have some mates that use coke unfortunately I wouldn't pay $300 a gram for something that's been trodded on and is only 30% pure

 

['medicine cabinet']

Ahhh drug wars! In high school we all had that on out ti-83 graphing calculators lol. I was great at that game baha

 

[Jabberwocky]

AUS: Women caught with 2kg of cocaine stashed inside her high heels and make-up'

American woman, 49, arrested at Sydney airport 'after being caught with 2kg of cocaine stashed inside her high heels and make-up'

An American woman who allegedly tried to hide two kilograms of cocaine in her make-up and high heels has been refused bail.

Denise Woodrum, 49, arrived in Australia from Los Angeles on Friday, when Australian Border Force officers at Sydney Airport selected her bags for further examination.

She has been charged with importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, the Australian Federal Police confirmed.

According to a spokesperson from the Department of Immigration and Border protection the searching officers 'identified a substance concealed within clothing, make-up products and other items in her suitcase'.

'Presumptive testing indicated the substance was cocaine. Further forensic testing will be conducted to determine the exact weight and purity of the cocaine,' the spokesperson said.

Photographs supplied to Daily Mail Australia by Australian Border Force show three pairs of shoes sitting on Border Force scales, as well as a number of makeup canisters.

X-rays also supplied by Border Force show the shoe heels glowing bright orange.

Another image shows what looks to be tape covering the bottom of the shoe's large heel.

She is scheduled to appear before the Central Court on September 27.

Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...rested-cocaine-possession-Sydney-airport.html

 

[Jabberwocky]

Disco Stu would be proud

 

[Jabberwocky]

Former Manly sponsor Robby Melhem charged over huge cocaine bust

Robby Melhem, once a major sponsor of the Manly Sea Eagles, has been refused bail after being charged over a major drug bust.

Sources have told Fairfax Media that during his sponsorship of Manly, which finished several years ago, Mr Melhem had allegedly been supplying cocaine and prostitutes to some players as well as making cash payments to some in breach of salary cap regulations. On several occasions at private parties hosted by Mr Melhem he allegedly provided cocaine to some players.

Just after 9am on Thursday, the former mobile phone entrepreneur and property developer was nabbed after he allegedly sold cocaine to an undercover police officer at Sydney Olympic Park. By day's end detectives from the Middle Eastern Organised Crime Squad (MEOCS) had seized 22kg of cocaine from an apartment Mr Melhem's syndicate rented for $830 per week in Refinery Drive, Pyrmont. Earlier in the week, as part of the same investigation, police also allegedly seized 3kg of cocaine and 5kg of ephedrine.

During other searches, police seized more than $100,000 cash, two motor vehicles, methylamphetamine, laptops, mobile phones, electronic devices and clothing.

Only last week surveillance officers watched Mr Melhem, 43, allegedly putting a large amount of pseudoephedrine in the boot of a car for someone else to pick up. Also arrested was Christian Wickramasinghe, 40, who has previously served time in jail in New Zealand over the importation of heroin worth almost $30 million.

Police began investigating Mr Melhem in April and allege that he was running the syndicate through encrypted messages sent between BlackBerry phones.

Michael McCarry, a cocaine addict on the dole, was allegedly employed as a courier yet never met Mr Melhem, according to an agreed statement of facts tendered in Newtown Local Court on Friday. The father-of-three from Annandale was allegedly paid between $500 to $2000 per delivery.

Surveillance officers watched on as, on August 15, he drove to a food shop in Mascot and transported a cardboard box from one car boot to another containing 2kg of cocaine.

On Friday, his lawyer argued that Mr McCarry, 46, didn't know what the two white bricks with Red Bull insignia inside the box were.

Magistrate Margaret Quinn denied Mr McCarry bail, saying the Crown case was too strong.



She said it was an "unattractive fact" that Mr McCarry was collecting the dole and a carer's payment to look after his mother and uncle while also seemingly earning up to $2000 per delivery. Mr Melhem's arrest marks a stunning fall from grace for the entrepreneur who was once a major sponsor of the Sea Eagles and at one stage a prospective buyer. It was at Mr Melhem's harbourside mansion in Kirribilli in September 2010 that the family, teammates and supporters of Brett Stewart gathered to celebrate the Manly star's acquittal of sexually assaulting a teenage girl.

In retirement, former Manly captain Ben Kennedy and Mr Melhem went into a property development venture on the outskirts of Cairns and, in more recent years, Mr Melhem offered to help Anthony Watmough with business opportunities.

It is not suggested that Stewart, Watmough or Kennedy were involved in any wrongdoing in connection with Mr Melhem.

Mr Melhem has a number of colourful business partners including Auburn brothel owner Saim Semaan and convicted cocaine dealer Joe Frangieh, with whom Mr Melhem was involved in a Queensland property company.

Mr Melhem is also an associate of Hells Angels' bikie bosses Daniel Callaghan and Wayne Schneider, who was murdered in Thailand in 2015.

Mr Melhem was refused bail and will be back before Burwood Local Court on October 11.


Source: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/former-ma...d-over-huge-cocaine-bust-20170818-gxzg66.html

 

[Jabberwocky]

Couple who allegedly smuggled liquid ice in water bottles arrested at Sydney Airport

A Vietnamese couple has been arrested at Sydney Airport after allegedly trying to smuggle 18 litres of liquid methamphetamine into the country.

The 63-year-old man and 54-year-old woman were caught by Australian Border Force officials today after an X-ray of their luggage revealed 36 bottles labelled as sparkling water.

On closer inspection, the liquid tested positive for methamphetamine, commonly known as the drug ice, Australian Immigration and Border Protection said in a statement.

The couple had arrived on a flight from Vietnam and were scheduled to appear in court today.

Detective Acting Superintendent Simone O'Mahony said AFP members are continually surprised at the lengths people go to import illicit substances into Australia.

"What they don't realise is these attempts ... can and do come to the attention of law enforcement and we are ready to apply the full force of the law in response," she said in a statement.

If convicted, the couple face a maximum sentence of life in jail.


Source: http://www.9news.com.au/national/2017/08/18/18/04/couple-caught-with-liquid-ice-in-sydney

 

[Jabberwocky]

Former Manly sponsor Robby Melhem charged over huge cocaine bust

Robby Melhem, once a major sponsor of the Manly Sea Eagles, has been refused bail after being charged over a major drug bust.

Sources have told Fairfax Media that during his sponsorship of Manly, which finished several years ago, Mr Melhem had allegedly been supplying cocaine and prostitutes to some players as well as making cash payments to some in breach of salary cap regulations. On several occasions at private parties hosted by Mr Melhem he allegedly provided cocaine to some players.

Just after 9am on Thursday, the former mobile phone entrepreneur and property developer was nabbed after he allegedly sold cocaine to an undercover police officer at Sydney Olympic Park. By day's end detectives from the Middle Eastern Organised Crime Squad (MEOCS) had seized 22kg of cocaine from an apartment Mr Melhem's syndicate rented for $830 per week in Refinery Drive, Pyrmont. Earlier in the week, as part of the same investigation, police also allegedly seized 3kg of cocaine and 5kg of ephedrine.

During other searches, police seized more than $100,000 cash, two motor vehicles, methylamphetamine, laptops, mobile phones, electronic devices and clothing.

Only last week surveillance officers watched Mr Melhem, 43, allegedly putting a large amount of pseudoephedrine in the boot of a car for someone else to pick up. Also arrested was Christian Wickramasinghe, 40, who has previously served time in jail in New Zealand over the importation of heroin worth almost $30 million.

Police began investigating Mr Melhem in April and allege that he was running the syndicate through encrypted messages sent between BlackBerry phones.

Michael McCarry, a cocaine addict on the dole, was allegedly employed as a courier yet never met Mr Melhem, according to an agreed statement of facts tendered in Newtown Local Court on Friday. The father-of-three from Annandale was allegedly paid between $500 to $2000 per delivery.

Surveillance officers watched on as, on August 15, he drove to a food shop in Mascot and transported a cardboard box from one car boot to another containing 2kg of cocaine.

On Friday, his lawyer argued that Mr McCarry, 46, didn't know what the two white bricks with Red Bull insignia inside the box were.

Magistrate Margaret Quinn denied Mr McCarry bail, saying the Crown case was too strong.



She said it was an "unattractive fact" that Mr McCarry was collecting the dole and a carer's payment to look after his mother and uncle while also seemingly earning up to $2000 per delivery. Mr Melhem's arrest marks a stunning fall from grace for the entrepreneur who was once a major sponsor of the Sea Eagles and at one stage a prospective buyer. It was at Mr Melhem's harbourside mansion in Kirribilli in September 2010 that the family, teammates and supporters of Brett Stewart gathered to celebrate the Manly star's acquittal of sexually assaulting a teenage girl.

In retirement, former Manly captain Ben Kennedy and Mr Melhem went into a property development venture on the outskirts of Cairns and, in more recent years, Mr Melhem offered to help Anthony Watmough with business opportunities.

It is not suggested that Stewart, Watmough or Kennedy were involved in any wrongdoing in connection with Mr Melhem.

Mr Melhem has a number of colourful business partners including Auburn brothel owner Saim Semaan and convicted cocaine dealer Joe Frangieh, with whom Mr Melhem was involved in a Queensland property company.

Mr Melhem is also an associate of Hells Angels' bikie bosses Daniel Callaghan and Wayne Schneider, who was murdered in Thailand in 2015.

Mr Melhem was refused bail and will be back before Burwood Local Court on October 11.


Source: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/former-ma...d-over-huge-cocaine-bust-20170818-gxzg66.html

$6m worth of cocaine, cash seized in police raids across Sydney

THREE men are facing charges for drug-related offences after police this week seized more than 25kg of cocaine in dramatic raids.

The Middle Eastern Organised Crime Squad’s Strike Force Melinz seized more than $100,000 in cash and two Mercedes vehicles.

The strike force also confiscated 20L of benzaldehyde and 3kg of ephedrine — legal substances which can be used to manufacture of amphetamines and methamphetamines — from three different addresses in Sydney. Five other properties across Sydney were also searched.

In one Pyrmont apartment, police found 22kg of cocaine with the street value of more than $6 million.

Robert Melhem, 43, was arrested yesterday morning at Sydney Olympic Park and charged with four counts of commercial supply of drugs.

He was refused bail and will face court again on October 11.

Michael McCarry, 46, was arrested at his Annadale home where police found the benzaldehyde, as well as other illicit drugs.

He was charged with supplying prohibited drugs, and possessing prohibited drugs. He faced Newtown Local Court today.

Forty-year-old Christian Wickremasinghe was also arrested at a business in Wetherill Park and taken to Fairfield Police Station, where he was charged with two counts of supplying prohibited drugs. He faced Fairfield Local Court today.

MEOCS commander Detective Superintendent Peter McErlain praised the strike force’s work.

“In the matter of only a few weeks, MEOCS investigators have seized more than 30kg of prohibited drugs with an estimated potential street value of almost $9 million,” Det Supt McErlain said.

These raids came as a Vietnamese man and woman were yesterday arrested at Sydney International Airport after allegedly attempting to import about 18L of liquid methamphetamine.

The joint Australian Federal Police and Australian Border Force operation occurred as the 63-year-old man and 54-year-old woman were stopped after arriving on a flight from Vietnam.

“After an X-ray of their baggage showed inconsistencies, a further examination of the baggage revealed 36 bottles labelled as sparkling water,” the AFP said in a statement.

Tests on the bottles allegedly got a positive result for methamphetamine, the drug commonly known as ice.


Source: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/ne...y/news-story/cd004ba191c99b263a41cc223a35719b

 

[Jabberwocky]

The guy is on Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/rob.melhem

What a way to a ruin a family. 4 kids visiting Daddy in jail for the next 12 years. Kids wondering where Daddy was

Will be tough for them no doubt.

 

[S.J.B.]

Detective Acting Superintendent Simone O'Mahony said AFP members are continually surprised at the lengths people go to import illicit substances into Australia.

Given the money to be made, it's the furthest thing from surprising.

 

[poledriver]

South African woman found with 6kg of cocaine in books after arriving at Perth Airport

Customs officers have discovered about six kilograms of cocaine hidden in books among a woman's luggage at Perth Airport after she arrived on a flight from Johannesburg.

The 32-year-old South African woman was charged with attempting to import the cocaine.

The drugs were found when the woman's baggage was examined by Australian Border Force (ABF) officers after her flight landed in Perth on Friday night.

"During the examination, ABF officers detected six packages concealed in six books," the Australian Federal Police (AFP) said.

"Initial testing returned a positive result for the border controlled drug cocaine.

"The exact weight and purity of the cocaine will be subject to further forensic testing.

"The AFP attended and arrested the woman. She was later charged with importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug."

The woman is facing a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

She is due to appear in Perth Magistrate Court.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-08-...aine-hidden-in-books-at-perth-airport/8823458

 

[Jabberwocky]

Police seize nearly three kilograms of ecstasy and $70,000 in cash from house after member of the public finds drugs and a handgun in a hire car


Detectives have seized 2.8 kilograms of ecstasy and significant amounts of amphetamine, cocaine and cannabis, plus $70,000 in cash after a search of a Perth home.

The Lathlain home was raided after a member of the public found drugs and a handgun in a hire car used by a 30-year-old man, who was subsequently charged with 13 offences.

'This is a significant quantity of illicit drugs, which was destined for sale on our streets but instead will now be destroyed,' Detective Senior Sergeant Michael Rowson said on Thursday.

Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4818592/Police-drugs-cash-gun-Perth-home.html

 

[poledriver]

Damn. What a fuck up.

 

[poledriver]

Suspected ice dealers busted with $1.6MILLION in cash found hidden in suitcases in a hire car

Police seized $1.6 million in cash found in two suitcases in a car on Tuesday
Officers pulled over the rented car in the Perth CBD around 6:45pm
Two Victorian men, aged 29 and 33-years-old, were questioned by police
They were charged with unlawful possession of money and are in custody

Police have seized $1.6 million in cash found in two suitcases after officers pulled over a hire car in Perth.
The car was stopped as part of an investigation into alleged meth dealers and the proceeds of crime.
Authorities pulled over the rented car in the Perth CBD around 6:45pm on Tuesday.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4821802/Meth-dealers-busted-1-6m-cash-suitcases.html

 

[poledriver]

700 acid tabs nabbed at Nimbin aimed for kids, police say

POLICE say a haul of about 700 tabs of LSD, also known as acid, uncovered at raid in Nimbin was aimed to be sold to youths.

Sniffer dogs led officers to the commercial quantity of the illicit drug during a search warrant at a Thorburn St property yesterday.

A cannabis plant and cookies as well as a further 1.6kg of the prohibited substance was also seized by police along with an expandable baton and just under $4000 cash.

Investigations are continuing with arrests expected to be made in the coming days.

Acting Inspector Tory Turner said local intelligence that revealed the drugs were allegedly intended to be sold to kids was very concerning.

To young people considering taking illicit substances such as LSD, Acting Insp Turner warned the drugs have different, and sometimes fatal, affects on each user.

"You just don't know what is actually in the drug,” Acting Insp Turner said.

She said the drugs are often concocted at unhygienic places, citing that the stash discovered at Nimbin was found in a shed.

Acting Insp Turner said police will continue to conduct search warrants and investigations to crack down on the supply and creation of LSD in the Nimbin area.

https://m.northernstar.com.au/news/700-acid-tabs-nabbed-at-nimbin-aimed-for-kids-poli/3216517/

 

[poledriver]

Yeah we all know loads of kids who consume large amounts of LSD. I just saw a 7 year old walk down the street, he was probably on several acid trips, cos the news paper says it happens. What.the.fuck.

 

[S.J.B.]

Canada - [Ontario Provincial Police] makes largest drug bust in its history, confiscating 1,062 kg of cocaine worth $250M
Patrick Bales
National Post
August 28th, 2017

The OPP showed off the largest ever drug seizure of its nearly 110 year history Monday morning.

Three men have been arrested, accused of importing 1,062 kilograms of pure cocaine. The drugs were displayed by police during a press conference in four specially constructed glass containers, each with a dimension of about four feet tall by eight feet wide.

“This is a massive seizure, bigger than I’ve ever seen in my 33 years of policing,” OPP Commissioner Vince Hawkes said during the press conference at OPP Headquarters in Orillia.

Uncut, the cocaine – said to be 97 per cent pure – is estimated to be worth about $60 million. Cut and on the street, police say the value sky rockets to at least $250 million.

Typically, cocaine found on the street is about 30-40 per cent pure, OPP Deputy Commissioner Rick Barnum explained. Once cut and supplemented with filling agents, such as fentanyl, the amount of product increases to between 2,122 and 3,183 kilograms.

Read the full story (with photos) here.