Australian Ice Thread

[Jabberwocky]

The 28-year-old Chinese national is alleged to be the fourth member of a criminal cabal .....

Unusual word. I had to look it up. -

These journo's are getting worse by the day. You just need to go on to DailyMail to see that quality no longer matters

 

[poledriver]

Fourth man charged over alleged involvement in multi-million dollar ice syndicate

A fourth man has been charged over his alleged involvement in a multi-million-dollar ice syndicate that was uncovered last month when police pulled over a man for talking on his mobile phone.

Police have seized almost 90 kilograms of methamphetamine, with an estimated street value of $45 million in connection with the investigation.

Officers have alleged the 28-year-old Chinese national travelled from Sydney to Melbourne in a taxi journey that cost $4,500, after three other men were arrested last month.

The latest arrest was made in Melbourne and the man was extradited back to Sydney today.

He has been charged with supplying a large commercial quantity of a prohibited drug and refused bail.

He is due face Parramatta Local Court on Saturday.

Ice worth $1.2m 'found in car'

The alleged syndicate was uncovered when police stopped a man who was using his mobile phone while driving in Sydney last month.

After searching his car, police said they found more than 3 kilograms of ice, with an estimated street value of $1.2 million.

Further investigations led to the discovery of more than $45 million worth of ice and several drug related charges being laid against the men.

Police said at the time they had uncovered "an organised crime drug network" and the seizures would have a significant affect on the availability of drugs in some areas.

"The fact that over $45 million worth of drugs have been seized, that equates to 900,000 street deals has been prevented from hitting the streets ... that's a significant impact on this network," Superintendent Danny Doherty said last month.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-08-12/fourth-man-charged-over-alleged-ice-sydicate/7730932

 

[Jabberwocky]

Adam Henry pleads guilty to supplying more than half a kilogram of ice

The son of one of Australia's most notorious underworld figures is facing 20 years in jail after he pleaded guilty to supplying more than half a kilogram of ice.

Adam Henry, 34, appeared in Newcastle Local Court via audio visual link from jail on Wednesday.

He pleaded guilty to supplying a commercial quantity of a prohibited drug and knowingly dealing with the proceeds of crime.

Henry is the son Graham "Abo" Henry, a notorious figure during the Sydney underworld days of the 1970s and 1980s and a close associate of convicted killer and armed robber Arthur "Neddy" Smith.

Henry, who gave police an address at Warners Bay, admitted to supplying 690 grams of methylamphetamine, or ice, in Newcastle between May and when he was arrested in August last year.

He also admitted to dealing with $22,250 in cash, which was the proceeds of crime, court documents state.

Henry was a high-ranking member of a drug syndicate flooding the Hunter with ice before it was smashed by detectives attached to Strike Force Rupas.

Police were patrolling in Rutherford and Aberglasslyn just before midnight on August 21 last year when they spotted a black Holden Cruze speeding along Richard Road at Rutherford.

Police stopped the vehicle on Aberglasslyn Road and found Henry in the front passenger seat.

When police asked to see ID, they noticed Henry's hands were shaking and he would not look at them.

Police ordered Henry out of the car and began a search, locating a black backpack, which was pushed halfway under the front seat, a police statement said.

Inside the backpack was a grey plastic shopping bag.

Inside that was a small plastic resealable bag marked "13 grams", which police said contained 15 grams of ice, as well as two plastic freezer bags, containing 85.4 grams and 141.5 grams of ice, police said.

Under the shopping bag was another plastic freezer bag, which contained 28.9 grams of ice.

Police also found $3000 in cash in the bag and another $1750 in Henry's shoulder bag.

Henry initially denied any knowledge of the backpack or the drugs and refused to be interviewed by police.

He will appear in Newcastle District Court on September 15 to set a sentence date.

The threshold for supplying a commercial quantity of ice is 250 grams. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in jail.

A number of back-up and related charges against Henry were also committed to the District Court, including four counts of possession of ice and knowingly directing the activities of a criminal group.

Accused syndicate kingpin Beau Lawton did not appear in Newcastle Local Court on Wednesday.

He has been charged with supplying a large commercial quantity of a prohibited drug, which carries a maximum of life in jail.

Other high-ranking syndicate members Paul Colvin and Chris Wells are before Newcastle District Court awaiting trial on serious drug supply charges.


Source: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/adam-henr...n-half-a-kilogram-of-ice-20160818-gqva9s.html

 

[poledriver]

Canberra man who sold methamphetamine to undercover police officer jailed

A Canberra man has been sentenced to two years' jail for selling drugs to an undercover police officer.

Matthew James Massey, 40, originally pleaded not guilty to selling more than seven grams of high-grade methamphetamine to the undercover officer when he first appeared in court in 2014.

But he changed that to guilty earlier this year, only days before his trial was to begin in the ACT Supreme Court.

Massey was caught trafficking the drugs to the police officer at the beginning of 2013, but was not arrested for the crime until 18 months later because of the ongoing investigation into other drug dealers.

Today Justice Richard Refshauge said in his sentence that he acknowledged Massey was not selling the drugs for greed or financial gain, but to fuel his drug addiction

Justice Refshauge acknowledged Massey's turbulent and disrupted childhood as one of the contributing factors towards his drug abuse and offending behaviour.

The court heard that Massey's parents had both abused drugs and alcohol around him from a young age and that he had witnessed his father abuse his mother on a number of occasions.

Justice Refshauge found Massey had a long history of drug and alcohol abuse which started when he was 10 years old, when he would sneak beer and cannabis from his parents.

Over the decades the use of drugs increased, as did their strength, with Massey beginning to use speed and methamphetamine.

Massey diagnosed with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia: court told

As well as his drug addiction, the court was told that Massey had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia and was receiving medication for both.

It also heard that Massey had tried to commit suicide a number of times.

Justice Refshauge said while his personal experiences did not justify or excuse his offending behaviour, they "[were] relevant to his subsequent offending".

When he was nine, he moved to the ACT to live with his grandparents which he enjoyed as they taught him "discipline and manners".

Massey not original drug supplier: Refshauge

In his sentence, Justice Refshauge also acknowledged that Massey was a user-dealer and not the original supplier of the drugs.

Justice Refshauge said it was clear from the covertly recorded evidence that Massey was dealing the drug on behalf of someone else.

Justice Refshauge sentenced him to two years and one month in jail.

Massey will be eligible for parole in March next year.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-08-...o-undercover-police-sentenced-to-jail/7772832

 

[poledriver]

Two foreign men sentenced over record $300m Perth ice haul

Two foreign men arrested after the largest-ever seizure of methylamphetamine in Western Australia have been jailed.

Chin Yeung Ng and Jian Tat Ng were among four men charged after police discovered 321 kilograms of the drug ice, worth an estimated $300 million, at various locations in Perth in September last year.

Chin Yeung, from Hong Kong, was found in a city hotel room with almost five kilograms of the drug and $385,000 in cash.

Jian Tat, from Malaysia, was arrested at an apartment in East Perth in possession of around 40 grams of methylamphetamine.

The District court was told Chin Yeung had been recruited by an international drug syndicate to "warehouse" the drugs at the East Perth apartment which he shared with Jian Tat.

Jian Tat was not involved in the syndicate but he had agreed to let Chin Yeung store a small amount in a cupboard in his room.

Judge Anthony Derrick rejected Jian Tat's claim that he did not understand by storing the drug he was committing a crime, but he said his culpability was "significantly less" than Chin Yeung's.

Judge Derrick said while Chin Yeung had to "some extent" been used as a "pawn" by the drug dealing syndicate, he had played an important role.

"You were a crucial conduit between the suppliers and the purchasers," the judge said.

Judge Derrick sentenced Chin Yeung to 12 years jail.

He will have to serve 10 years before he can be released.

Jian Tat was sentenced to two-and-a-half years, and with time already served he could be released in December this year, although he is expected to be immediately deported.

Two other men charged over the seizure are yet to be dealt with by the courts.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-08-22/record-300m-perth-ice-seizure-two-men-senctenced/7772082

 

[poledriver]

Kempsey ice bust: Three men charged over NSW methylamphetamine haul

Three men are facing court over the alleged commercial supply of methylamphetamine, or ice, on the New South Wales mid north coast.

About 11am on Thursday two men, aged 26 and 34, were arrested at a business in West Kempsey.

Police allege drugs, mobile phones and electronic storage devices were found on the premises and seized.

Search warrants were then executed at three other locations in Kempsey.

NSW Police alleged they seized drugs, ammunition, documentation, mobile phones, an electronic storage device and about $50,000 cash.

A 37-year-old man was also arrested at a home in Bankstown, where it is alleged mobile phones, clothing and a large amount of mail were seized.

All three men were charged with supplying a large commercial quantity of methylamphetamine and participating in a criminal group.

The 26-year-old and 34-year-old man were refused bail and scheduled to appear at Port Macquarie Local Court today.

The 37-year-old man was also refused bail and will appear at Bankstown Local Court today.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-08-19/kempsey-ice-bust-three-men-charged-methylamphetamine/7765440

 

[poledriver]

Drugs seized as part of Operation Addenine
Police have seized around $43,000 worth of illegal drugs as part of Operation Addenine.

Supplied: SAPOL

 

[poledriver]

AFP sells boat linked to $200m Geraldton drug bust

A boat linked to a $200 million drug bust in Western Australia has been sold.

Australian Federal Police (AFP) is remaining tight-lipped about the sale, confirming only that the boat and tender sold for under $30,000 to separate Australian buyers.

The boat was escorted to Geraldton in May during a high-profile investigation that led to the seizure of about 200 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine from China.

The bust was described by police as one of the state's biggest drug seizures.

Eight Chinese nationals and six Malaysians are accused of involvement in the drug operation.

The rundown vessel used to traffic the drugs was placed on public auction online by the AFP.

It is not known what the proceeds of the sale will be spent on.

However, in a statement an AFP spokeswoman said that in previous cases funds from confiscated assets had been used for crime prevention, intervention or diversion programs, or other law enforcement initiatives.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-08-16/geraldton-drug-boat-sold-at-auction/7746936

 

[Hiltoniano]

Breaking news: drugs ok! Some guy had some.! I Es wanted to smoke I it kush

 

[poledriver]

lol, what?!

 

[poledriver]

Jamie Gao murder: Rogerson and McNamara should be jailed for life, prosecutor says

The notorious corrupt former detective Roger Rogerson and his co-accused Glen McNamara should be jailed for life for the murder of drug dealer Jamie Gao, a Sydney court has been told.

Rogerson and McNamara are facing a sentencing hearing today, after being found guilty of murdering Sydney man Mr Gao during a drug deal at a Padstow storage facility on May 20, 2014.

Rogerson, 75, and McNamara, 57, pleaded not guilty to murdering Mr Gao and dumping his body in waters off Cronulla the next day.

New South Wales Crown prosecutor Christopher Maxwell QC told the hearing in the NSW Supreme Court, life sentences have been applied in the past for contract killings.

"They together executed a young drug dealer for their financial gain. The contract killing is a category for which a life sentence can be given and has been given by this court over the years," he said.

"There is no distinction between killing for payment ... or killing for the purpose of financial gain, which is what this was about.

"This was a killing to enable both offenders to obtain the drug ... colloquially known as ice ... a drug that results in much crime itself.
"The attitude that both accused had towards the deceased after the murder amounted to a completely cold, calculated, lack of feeling, which was all about making him disappear."

Mr Maxwell said the pair had used their "experience and training for the complete antithesis of what was intended".

"There is nothing to suggest they would..not be a danger to society."

How two detectives were caught out

How did the two former detectives bungle their crime so badly, leaving a trail of evidence on CCTV?
Mr Maxwell told the judge the offence was made even more serious because of their intention to "obtain and distribute a drug that is a scourge of our society".

The crown said the both men were part of a joint criminal enterprise and a great deal of thought was put into it.

"There is nothing ludicrously incompetent about this," he said.

"There's a boldness in Mr Rogerson's attitude."

He told the judge they planned to make sure Mr Gao's body would disappear.

"They did everything to make that happen."

Differing accounts of Gao's death heard during trial

During the trial, both men denied pulling the trigger and instead pointed the blame at each other.

McNamara's defence told the trial it was Rogerson who shot and killed Mr Gao before threatening McNamara and his family, forcing him to help dispose of the body.

Rogerson claimed the 20-year-old was killed during a struggle with McNamara and the student was dead on the floor when he entered the shed.

The trial was told by prosecutors both had given "far-fetched and unbelievable" versions of what happened.

Mr Gao told his cousin Justin Gao he was going to be involved in a massive drug deal with a man called 'Glen' that was going to make him rich.

He held a number of meetings with McNamara in the months before his death — McNamara claimed these meetings were for a book he was writing about Asian crime gangs.

This explanation was dismissed by prosecutors, who said McNamara and Rogerson were preparing for the killing.

Prosecutors told the court the crown did not have to prove which of the defendants killed Mr Gao, just that there was an agreement to kill or seriously injure the victim.

It took the jury just under a week to reach the verdicts.

Justice Geoffrey Bellew thanked them for their service and excused them from ever serving again, unless they wished to do so.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-08-...-rogerson-mcnamara-sydney-court-hears/7783608

 

[poledriver]

Bandido bikie boss riding motorcycle while on ice, police allege

The president of the newly-established Devonport chapter of the Bandidos motorcycle gang in Tasmania's north has been charged with riding a motorcycle under the influence of drugs.

Police allege the 28-year-old man was riding his motorcycle under the influence of methylamphetamine, or ice, on June 29.

They also allege he was riding an unregistered motorcycle without a licence.

Detective Sergeant Damien George said the charges followed extensive police investigations.

"As a result of the investigative process and the testing of the blood, that result was returned to us late last week and ultimately he was summonsed in respect of that matter," he said.

Detective Sergeant George said police were cracking down on bikies.

"Tasmania Police have some real concerns that this outlaw motorcycle gang is trying to establish a footprint in the north-west of the state so as a result of that we've closely monitored their activities," he said.

The man is due to appear in the Devonport Magistrates Court next month.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-08-25/bandido-bikie-boss-riding-while-ice-police-allege/7784580

 

[poledriver]

Bikie gang's alleged boss asked to hand over $360,000 made in drug sales

The Queensland Government has asked the Supreme Court to force the alleged boss of the outlaw Black Uhlans bikie gang to hand over $360,000 in alleged proceeds from drug sales.

Key points:

David John Kurtzman was charged last year with drug trafficking
Female passengers were allegedly employed to conceal drugs in their genitals

David John Kurtzman was charged last year with possession, supply and trafficking of dangerous drugs as part of a year-long operation dubbed Mike Variety.

Police say it resulted in more than 40 arrests and the shutdown of a major methylamphetamine ring in central Queensland.

Police alleged that two men from Mackay would buy the drugs from 57-year old Kurtzman at his Burleigh Bars business on the Gold Coast, and then drive to Mackay to sell them.

Supreme Court documents obtained by the ABC describe how female passengers would allegedly be employed to conceal the drugs in their genitals in a technique described as "banking".

The summary of a September 2014 telephone intercept tendered in the court by the state described one of the alleged arrangements involving one of the Mackay men.

"[He] will pay Julie and make it worth her while but he will need her to 'hide some stuff in ya pussy'," the summary reads.

"Julie could manage that, it's not the first time she has had to do it, as long as it's not eight tonnes [both laugh] — Julie agrees."

Investigators intercepted thousands of telephone calls, alleging that members of the drug ring used code words such as 'mackerel', 'reels', and 'fish and chips' to refer to illegal drugs.

A police affidavit alleges an undercover operative — identified as LEP 46 — bought amphetamines from one of the men from Mackay, who revealed to the officer "he had been sourcing drugs from his current supplier on the Gold Coast for 18 months".

Police alleged the supplier was Kurtzman.

Kurtzman, who police say is the head of the Black Uhlans in Queensland, has pleaded not guilty.

At the time of Kurtzman's arrest, his lawyer slammed the case as circumstantial, saying no methylamphetamine was uncovered when police raided two of his client's properties.

The Queensland Government has applied to the Supreme Court for Kurtzman to pay "a proceeds assessment order...of $360,000" under the Criminal Proceeds Confiscation Act 2002.

The state is also asking that he "pay interest on the value of the proceeds derived...from illegal activity".

The application will be heard next week.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-08-25/black-uhlans'-alleged-boss-to-pay-$360,000/7782098

 

[poledriver]

Media release: Man charged for attempting to import 210kg of methamphetamine concealed in jeans

This is a joint media release between the Australian Federal Police and the Australian Border Force.

A 29-year-old man is appearing before Sydney Central Local Court today (Friday 19 August) after being charged for allegedly importing 210kg of methamphetamine, which has an estimated street value of $210 million.

Investigations commenced in June after an air freight consignment of 15 boxes arrived in Sydney from Taiwan, labelled as ‘women’s jeans’.

Australian Border Force (ABF) officers conducted an examination of the consignment after noticing anomalies within 12 of the boxes and found plastic bags containing a crystalline substance. A presumptive testing of the substance tested positive to the presence of methamphetamine.

The matter was referred to the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and an investigation was initiated. Subsequent forensic examination of the consignment by AFP officers confirmed the substance to be methamphetamine with an approximate weight of 210 kilograms.

Following a two-month investigation, the AFP arrested a 29-year-old Bexley North man yesterday (18 August 2016).

He was charged with importing a commercial quantity of border controlled drug, namely methamphetamine, contrary to section 301.1(1) Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).

In July, the AFP also arrested a 24-year-old Blacktown man in relation to this investigation.

AFP Manager Crime Operations Roger Brown said this investigation stopped more than 2.1 million ‘hits’ of methamphetamine from reaching the community.

“This was a complex investigation resulting in the arrest of two alleged offenders, and it shows just how committed law enforcement agencies are to stopping these drugs from ending up in our community,” Commander Brown said.

ABF Regional Commander NSW Tim Fitzgerald said the ABF is resolute in its commitment to stemming the flow of this illegal and dangerous drug into the Australia.

“This seizure is yet another example of the ABF’s success in targeting large shipments of methamphetamine arriving in air and sea cargo,” Commander Fitzgerald said.

“A detection of this size by the ABF has a direct benefit to the community by stopping this evil product reaching the streets.”

The man is due to appear in Sydney Central Local Court today (Friday 19 August 2016). The maximum penalty for this offence is life imprisonment.

https://www.afp.gov.au/news-media/m...arged-attempting-import-210kg-methamphetamine

 

[Jabberwocky]

Tourist nabbed at Sydney airport with 3kg of the chemical used to make meth hidden in packet of a Vietnamese energy drink

A passenger travelling from Vietnam to Sydney has been found with 3kg worth of pseudoephedrine hidden in their luggage.

Vietnamese breakfast drink sachets were used to conceal the drug.

The haul was discovered on Tuesday morning at Sydney Airport by the Australian Border Force.

Pseudoephedrine a substance used to make meth, was discovered in Macfito sachets - a Vietnamese Nutritional Cereal that claims to provide energy.

The Australian Border Force seemed unimpressed with making the discovery tweeting the image and saying ' Not the way to start the day'.

Just one person has been arrested over the bust.

Three kilograms of pseudoephedrine is worth $300,000 and could make 3kg worth of meth, according to the Illicit Drug Data report

Meth sells wholesale for $100,000 a kilo, according to the latest drug statistics.

The bust comes just one day after a raid on a cruise ship in Sydney Harbour discovered 95kgs worth of cocaine resulting in the arrests of three Canadian nationals.

Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...th-hidden-packet-Vietnamese-energy-drink.html


BONUS - AN INTERESTING READ ABOUT STATS ETC: https://www.acic.gov.au/sites/g/fil...stimulants-acic-iddr-2014-15.pdf?v=1470179432

 

[poledriver]

Mother charged after baby boy finds and eats 'ice' stash in NSW Illawarra

A mother has been charged with abandoning a child after her 21-month-old toddler found her alleged stash of the drug ice and ate it.

Despite digesting enough of the destructive drug to have fatal consequences, the little boy miraculously survived and is today in the care of the Department of Families and Community Services.

His mother, a 27-year-old from NSW's Illawarra region, called an ambulance in a panic on January 25 after finding her son having seizures in her bedroom.

It is alleged the mother put her son down in her bedroom the night before while she stayed in the loungeroom.

At some point during the night or morning, the baby boy discovered the drug ice in his mother's bedroom and ate it.

Tests at Wollongong Hospital revealed the boy tested positive to having methamphetamine in his system and a red flag was raised with police.

Medical staff determined he had digested a substantial amount of the drug that was likely to cause "serious injury or death".

Child abuse squad detectives later searched the woman's Koonawarra home and allegedly found ice, cannabis, prescription drugs and a pipe.

Eight months after the boy was hospitalised, his mother was issued with a court attendance notice for several offences on Wednesday.

She is due to face Port Kembla Local Court on Wednesday on charges of abandoning or exposing a child under seven to cause danger of death, and drug possession.

http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/mother-ch...e-stash-in-nsw-illawarra-20160830-gr4fiv.html

 

[poledriver]

The Meth Project: Ex-ice addicts teaching kids of seven how to dodge drugs

FORMER ice addicts are visiting schools to tell children aged just seven years old about their experiences with crystal methamphetamine.
It’s a confronting program based on a US model called The Meth Project, in which ex-users describe what the drug that’s become the scourge of Australia can do to you.

The former junkies show kids aged from seven to 18 deep scars as they relate stories about attempting suicide, getting involved in violent crime and sex work and watching friends die.
It may sound extreme but the speakers say it’s a necessary step: because what they’re hearing back from the children is even more chilling.

Some sob in the talks because they have family members on ice, others say they’ve tried free “sample packs” dealers bring into schools or found it online. Some have even turned to selling their bodies for money.
Andrea Simmons, an ex-addict from the Gold Coast who has adapted the American plan, said she’d even seen “a 13-year-old kid die because of a drug deal” when the money wasn’t produced.
“I was able to detox her friend on my couch, because the wait for rehab is two to three months,” Ms Simmons told news.com.au.

“She was 17. But the 13-year-old I wasn’t able to fish out. She was murdered. The 17-year-old watched that happen.
“How does a 13-year-old get hooked on that product? The answer is, her parents gave it to her, sitting on the couch, they passed her a pipe.

“I’m sure that parent loved her, it’s just your brain is taken over by the drug.

‘IT’S TAKING OVER THE BRAIN MUCH QUICKER’

Ms Simmons knows that only too well. She tried ice for the first time at 40 when going through a difficult divorce, and soon abandoned her daughters and successful career to pursue a $500-a-day habit that almost killed her.
It’s a crisis that’s reflected across the nation. Australia is in the grip of an ice epidemic, which is destroying families and tearing communities apart.

More than 500,000 Australians aged 14 years and over have used ice in some form over the past year, according to the Australian Drug Foundation, and Ms Simmons says 27 children a day are trying it for the first time.
“The potency is 70 to 90 per cent, as opposed to five years ago when it was 15 to 17 per cent,” she said. “It’s taking over the brain much quicker. Kids are suiciding all over the place.”

Her organisation, Australian Anti Ice Campaign, has visited schools and held community forums across Queensland and she’s been contacted by educators desperate for the program to be rolled out in other states before it’s too late.
She’s submitted a document to the Federal Government and is working with health minister Sussan Ley and the Department of Education and Training while she waits for a response on how the scheme can be brought in nationwide.
In the meantime, she is relying on community and corporate support, with the program costing around $10 per child.

‘MY KIDNEYS STILL BLEED’

All AAIC speakers have been ice addicts, attended rehab for at least 12 months and are cleared to work with minors and trained in drug education. They supply information, cards with detox phone numbers children can leave out for parents and guides to the different street names for the drug, of which there are around 20.

With children as young as nine trying ice, Ms Simmons believes primary-age kids need this.
“They’re going to see it on the street,” she said. “Ice users can smoke from a light bulb. It can be melted down, shot up or mixed with water.
“If it’s scary, good. We’re just exposing the reality of ice. It’s that or lose their loved one.
“It saves kids’ lives.”

Her daughters, who were once furious with their mother because she had “lost the plot, now both work for the AAIC, one as a psychologist and the other as an accountant”.
“I should have been dead today,” said Ms Simmons. “I’ve been given a second chance.”
The Meth Project reduced ice use by 64 per cent in eight states over 10 years.

Cont -

http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/re...SF&utm_source=News.com.au&utm_medium=Facebook

 

[poledriver]

Perth brothers jailed for more than 12 years for drug dealing business

Two Perth brothers who operated what has been described as a "significant" and "well-managed" drug dealing business have been sentenced to lengthy jail terms for supplying methylamphetamine.

Rabih and Ziad Jneid were charged after police discovered quantities of the drug during searches in Kewdale and Manning in January and March 2014.

Ziad Jneid, 40, admitted supplying almost two kilograms of the methylamphetamine to another, while his 42-year-old brother, Rabih, pleaded guilty to dealing in almost a kilogram of the drug.

The drugs had a purity of between 74 and 78 per cent.

The men had been scheduled to face a lengthy District Court trial, but instead pleaded guilty last week after negotiations between their lawyers and prosecutors.

Ziad Jneid was sentenced to 14-and-a-half years, while Rabih, who had a prior conviction for a similar offence, was given a 15-year term.

Judge Christopher Stevenson said the men's involvement in drug dealing was not isolated to the two charges they faced, but rather, were part of a "criminal enterprise" which "actively sought to distribute drugs into the community".

"You operated a drug dealing business on a very significant scale ... [and] you reaped significant financial rewards," Judge Stevenson said.

"Your willingness to commit the offences ... was for pure financial gain, pure and simple greed," he told the men.
Judge Stevenson described the men as being "close to, or near the top of the chain of hierarchical distribution" of the drugs which he said they were able to source "with immediate availability".

Judge Stevenson also said the men had not shown any remorse, insight or contrition for what they had done.

However, he said he took into account the hardship their wives and families will suffer as a result of them serving long jail terms.

Ziad will have to serve 12-and-a-half years before being eligible for release while Rabih will spend at least 13 years behind bars.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-08-...o-lengthy-jail-terms-for-drug-dealing/7803054

 

[poledriver]

Four men faced court in Perth on Friday, 26 August 2016 for their alleged role in the importation of around 45.6 kilograms of methamphetamine concealed in timber logs.

A joint investigation involving the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Western Australia Police (WA Police) commenced in June after a sea cargo consignment containing timber logs arrived in Perth from Africa. An x-ray examination of the consignment by Australian Border Force (ABF) officers identified concealments within nine timber logs.

ABF referred the matter to police, and a forensic examination was conducted. A total of 106 secreted packages containing around 45.6kgs of methamphetamine were detected. This amount of methamphetamine has an approximate street value of $45.6 million.

In late June, a joint agency controlled operation commenced and the consignment was delivered to an address in Baldivis, Western Australia.

As a result of the operation, a 42-year-old man and a 54-year-old man were arrested and charged with attempting to possess a commercial quantity of an unlawfully imported border controlled drug, namely methamphetamine, contrary to section 307.5 Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth), by virtue of section 11.1 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).

The maximum penalty for this offence is life imprisonment.

Subsequent enquiries revealed a further two men were allegedly involved in the importation. In late July, search warrants were conducted in Western Australia and Victoria. A 33-year-old man was arrested in Western Australia, and a 29-year-old Nigerian man was arrested in Victoria, and then extradited to Western Australia.

Both men were charged with one count of importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, namely methamphetamine, contrary to section 307.1(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).

The maximum penalty for this offence is life imprisonment.

The 42-year-old man is due to reappear in the Stirling Gardens Magistrates Court on Wednesday, 31 August 2016. The 29-year-old, 33-year-old and 54-year-old men are due to reappear in the Stirling Gardens Magistrates Court on Wednesday, 16 November 2016.

AFP Commander Matt Rippon, State Manager WA, said close collaboration between border protection and law enforcement agencies across Australia was integral to the success of this operation.

“Strong relationships with our domestic and international partners are vital to identifying and disrupting importations of this extremely damaging drug,” Commander Rippon said.

“We are continuing to work together across jurisdictions and borders to break criminal networks, with our main priority being the safety of the community.”

ABF Regional Commander WA Rod O’Donnell said the AFP and ABF are resolute in their commitment to stemming the flow of this illegal and dangerous drug into Australia.

“This seizure is yet another example of the ABF’s success in targeting large shipments of methamphetamine arriving in air and sea cargo,” Commander O’Donnell said.

“A detection of this size and the subsequent Police operation has a direct benefit to the Australian community by stopping this product reaching the streets.”

WA Police State Crime Assistant Commissioner Michelle Fyfe said the seized drugs had the potential to cause immense harm in the Western Australian community.

“We are pleased that this significant quantity of methamphetamine has been seized before it could reach our streets,” Mrs Fyfe said.

Note: The estimated street value of this seizure has been calculated according to the median drug price for the specific drug as listed in the latest Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission Illicit Drug Data Report (www.acic.gov.au ). The final total is expressed as if the seizure would have been broken up at its current level of purity and sold at the end of the supply chain in individual street dosage units.

 

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New Zealand woman 'high on ice' paraded in front of media after Bali arrest

A New Zealand woman was "high on ice", yelling and "talking a lot" when she was arrested at a Bali airport, local officials allege.

Myra Lynna William, 27, was hauled before reporters at Denpasar on Friday, two days after she was arrested getting off a flight from Melbourne to Denpasar.

"While she's in the immigration checking point, she behaved unnaturally, talking a lot, yelling and very impatient to get stamped," head of Denpasar Immigration office Yosep Renung Widodo told reporters.

When she was taken into a room to be checked down, he alleged a plastic pouch with a crystal substance fell to the ground.

Police allege forensic testing confirmed it was 0.43grams of crystal meth.

A urine test also allegedly tested positive for methamphetamine, marijuana and ecstasy, they say.

Ms William has been named a suspect, who police allege admitted consuming the drug ice before flying to Bali.

According to police she told them she had been taking drugs for eight years.

It is expected she will be charged with drug possession, which carries a penalty of four to 12 years in jail and a fine of up to 8 billion rupiah ($A800,000).


Read more at http://www.9news.com.au/world/2016/09/02/14/48/nzer-on-drug-charges-in-bali#bKmk3ssQkw0RQrGO.99