The Aus/NZ/Asian Drug Busts Mega-Thread El Número Cuatro

[Divine Moments]

The legacy continues...

This is a thread to post news articles related to police seizures of illicit drugs, their precursors, manufacturing equipment and paraphernalia in Australia/New Zealand. This also includes any articles relating to the court outcomes or sentencing for a bust and crimes relating to prescription drugs. For extremely large busts, especially any that break existing Australian records for a drug, a new thread should be started.

NO SOCIAL CHATTER

This includes posts:

• Bemoaning a seizure of drugs
• Contemplating whether a seizure will affect availability of a drug in a particular area
• Guessing at how long before police put the drugs back on the street

Posts of this type will be removed.

When posting articles please quote the full text of the article and a link to the source, also please check that it hasn't already been posted.

Cheers

Old thread here

 

[poledriver]

Cannabis seizure at Saltwater River (Tas)

Cannabis seizure at Saltwater River (Tas)

Nubeena Police have charged a 27 year old man from Saltwater River with cultivating a controlled plant for sale.

The charges are the result of searches conducted at a Saltwater River property on 17 November 2011.

The cannabis plants seized have a potential street value of approximately $30,000.

The man was bailed to appear at a later date in the Hobart Magistrates Court.​

here

 

[poledriver]

Pair arrested in drug bust

Pair arrested in drug bust

Two men have been arrested during a police raid at Traralgon this morning.

Police searched a property in Barton Place and found a quantity of cannabis.

A 21-year-old Hazelwood North man and a 25-year-old Traralgon man were arrested during the raid.​

here

 

[poledriver]

Drug bust at toukley

DRUG BUST AT TOUKLEY

Central Coast police have arrested two women after allegedly seizing close to a million dollars worth of cannabis from an address at Toukley.
The raid was the ninth major drug bust in the region since October.​

here

 

[poledriver]

Man and woman charged with drug supply - Strike Force Tentmaker

Man and woman charged with drug supply - Strike Force Tentmaker

Detectives have arrested a man and a woman after raiding a house as part of investigations into drug supply in the Illawarra.

Police attached to the Lake Illawarra Drug Unit formed Strike Force Tentmaker in May this year to investigate the supply and distribution of heroin, methylamphetamine, cannabis and OxyContin.

Today police attended a house in Willaroo Place, Koonawarra where they conducted a search warrant seizing clothing and mobile phones.

A 32-year-old woman and 34-year-old man were arrested at the premises and taken to Lake Illawarra Police Station for questioning.

During a search of the woman police allegedly located an amount of methylamphetamine’s.

The woman was charged with a number of offences including three counts of supply prohibited drug, possess prohibited drug and breach of bail while the man was charged with four counts of supplying a prohibited drug.

They were both refused bail to appear in Wollongong Local Court this afternoon.

Police wish to remind the community that they take all crimes seriously and will act on any information received.​

here

 

[poledriver]

Man charged with drug and firearms offences - Gangs Squad

Man charged with drug and firearms offences - Gangs Squad

Gangs Squad detectives have arrested a man after they seized drugs and cash in Sydney’s south-west yesterday.

About 7am (Wednesday 30 November 2011), officers attached to Strike Force Lavelle executed search warrants in Lansvale and Villawood.

At the Lansvale address, police seized a .22-calibre pistol, ammunition, a large amount of cash and drugs, including cocaine with an estimated street value of more than $25,000.

At a house in Villawood, police seized cannabis and cocaine, mobile phones, scales and resealable plastic bags.

A 30-year-old man was arrested at the Lansvale address and taken to Cabramatta Police Station.

He was charged with drug and firearms offences, as well as dealing with property suspected to be proceeds of crime.

The man was refused bail to appear at Liverpool Local Court today (1 December 2011).

Police will allege the man has links to Middle Eastern organised-crime groups.

Strike Force Lavelle comprises detectives from the State Crime Command’s Gangs Squad and was established to investigate alleged drug-supply offences in Sydney’s west.​

here

 

[poledriver]

Three arrested after police seize chemicals used in drug manufacture - Drug Squad

Three arrested after police seize chemicals used in drug manufacture - Drug Squad

Drug Squad detectives have seized more than 75kg of a chemical capable of being used to manufacture more than $20 million worth of prohibited drugs, and arrested three men, including a 77-year-old man.

Strike Force Polmont is an ongoing investigation into the manufacture of prohibited drugs and is headed by the Drug Squad’s Chemical Operations Team.

Detectives have been investigating a suspicious order of more than 75 kg of a pre-cursor chemical used as one of the ingredients in the manufacture of methylamphetamine.

When combined with other chemicals, it could be used to make more than 40kg of methylamphetamine with a potential street value of more than $20 million.

Yesterday (Wednesday 30 November 2011), the pre-cursor chemical was delivered to a business in Pitt Street, Sydney, and police swooped, arresting three men at the scene.

Police then executed search warrants at a home in Woolloomooloo and a business at Wetherill Park, seizing documents from the Woolloomooloo address.

Three men, aged 32, 48 and 77, were each charged in relation to the possession of a pre-cursor.

The 32-year-old man was additionally charged with an outstanding warrant.

The 48-year-old man, from Blacktown, was additionally charged with fraud offences and possession of a knife in a public place.

The 77-year-old man, from Woolloomooloo, was additionally charged with proceeds of crime

They were all refused bail to face Central Local Court later today.​

here

 

[poledriver]

OMCG associate arrested, drugs seized - Strike Force Raptor

OMCG associate arrested, drugs seized - Strike Force Raptor

Officers from the Gang Squad’s Strike Force Raptor have arrested an outlaw motorcycle gang associate after allegedly finding drugs and cash.

Under the investigation name Strike Force Nielson, detectives from Strike Force Raptor have been investigating criminal activity associated with the Rebels.

Those inquiries led them to execute a search warrant on a home at Myuna Crescent, Seven Hills, yesterday afternoon (Wednesday 30 November 2011).

Once inside the home, officers allegedly seized cash, drug paraphernalia and small amounts of what are believed to be cannabis, cocaine and ecstasy (MDMA).

An 18-year-old alleged associate of the Rebels outlaw motorcycle gang was arrested and taken to Blacktown Police Station.

He was charged with three counts each of supply prohibited drug and possess prohibited drug and one count of deal with property believed to be the proceeds of crime.

He was granted conditional bail to appear at Blacktown Local Court on 19 January 2012.

Strike Force Raptor was established by the State Crime Command’s Gangs Squad in 2009 and is a proactive, high-impact operation targeting outlaw motorcycle gangs and their alleged associated criminal enterprises.​

here

 

[poledriver]

Man to face court on drug charges

Man to face court on drug charges

A 27-year-old man was arrested overnight on drug related charges after police executed a search warrant in Deakin yesterday (Wednesday, November 30).

Around 5pm yesterday, Criminal Investigations detectives entered a house in Deakin, where they seized a kilogram of cannabis, four mobile phones, electronic scales and a sum of cash. A small amount of heroin was also seized.

The man was taken to the ACT Watch House, where he was charged with possessing a prohibited substance, possession of a trafficable amount of cannabis and unlawful possession of stolen property.

He will face the ACT Magistrates Court this morning (Thursday, December 1), where bail will be opposed by police.​

here

 

[Jabberwocky]

Two charged after police seize cannabis worth over $1 million

POLICE have charged two people and seized in excess of $1 million worth of cannabis from a house in Toukley on the Central Coast.

About 3.15pm Tuesday (29 November 2011) police were called to a house in Main Road by local fire brigades after they had forced entry into the house and located a large amount of cannabis plants.

Fire brigades had received a phone call in relation to a possible fire at the location.

Police secured the premises and applied for a search warrant.

About 8pm the same day, a 23-year-old female and 25-year-old female were arrested at the location and taken to Wyong Police Station where they were charged with cultivate prohibited drug being a large commercial quantity.

During the search warrant 314 cannabis plants were located and 180 seedlings.

Both women have been refused bail and are due to appear in Wyong Local Court on the 15 February 2012.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/ne...in-central-coast/story-e6freuzi-1226211180052

 

[poledriver]

Drug accused face more charges

Two men charged over a drug seizure in Geraldton are facing additional charges in relation to the incident.

Police charged five people on Sunday with a range of drug-related offences after a random traffic stop on the Brand Highway on Saturday night.

They seized half a kilogram of cannabis.

One of the men has now also been charged with perverting the course of justice after he allegedly gave police a fake name and address when he was initially charged.

He briefly appeared in the Geraldton Magistrates Court yesterday before being released on bail to appear again this month.

A second man has been charged with breaching bail conditions.​

here

 

[poledriver]

Police charge father with large-scale drug production and child endangerment - Drug S

Police charge father with large-scale drug production and child endangerment - Drug Squad

Drug Squad detectives have busted a large clandestine drug laboratory in Sydney’s north-west and charged a man who lived at the address with his three young children.

Strike Force Polmont is an ongoing investigation into the manufacture of prohibited drugs and is headed by the Drug Squad’s Chemical Operations Team.

About 3.45pm yesterday (Thursday 1 December 2011), detectives raided a semi-rural property in Kenthurst.

It will be alleged that officers located an active, commercial-scale methylamphetamine laboratory in a shed on the property.

Police also discovered that three children – aged 10, six and one – were living with their parents in a house located less than 10 metres from the shed.

A 28-year-old Kenthurst man and a 36-year-old Anna Bay man were arrested at the address and taken to Castle Hill Police Station.

The 28-year-old was charged with large commercial manufacture of prohibited drug with circumstances of aggravation (child endangerment provisions), and possess prohibited drug.

He was refused bail to face Parramatta Local Court today (Friday 2 December 2011).

The 36-year-old was released pending further inquiries.

Police are now in the process of seizing chemicals and equipment at the address, and dismantling the laboratory. Due to the size of the operation, this process is expected to take up to two days.​

here

 

[poledriver]

Update: Drug charges, Broadbeach

Update: Drug charges, Broadbeach

Three men have been charged after police allegedly located a large quantity of drugs in a car at Broadbeach yesterday morning.

Around 10.30am uniform police stopped a car for random breath testing and drug testing on the Gold Coast Highway. Police searched the car and allegedly located a seven and half kilogram package containing what police believe to be cocaine and upon further searching a sum of cash.

A 27-year-old man from Chifley in New South Wales has been charged with one count of possession of a dangerous drug exceeding Schedule 4 of the Drugs Misuse Act, three counts of possession of a dangerous drug, one count of possession of a utensil and one count of possess tainted property.

A 31-year old man from Chifley in New South Wales has been charged with one count of possession of a dangerous drug exceeding Schedule 4 of the Drugs Misuse Act, three counts of possession of a dangerous drug, one count of possession of a utensil and one count of possess tainted property.

A 38-year-old man from Sydney has been charged with one count of possession of a dangerous drug exceeding Schedule 4 of the Drugs Misuse Act, three counts of possession of a dangerous drug, one count of possession of a utensil and one count of possess tainted property.

The men are expected to appear in the Southport Magistrates Court on December 3.

Investigations are continuing.​

here

 

[poledriver]

Police seize cannabis worth $1.93 million during first raid of the Cannabis Eradicati

Police seize cannabis worth $1.93 million during first raid of the Cannabis Eradication Program - Manning Great Lakes

Police have seized $1.93 million worth of cannabis in the Manning Great Lakes area during the first group of raids in the 2011-2012 Cannabis Eradication Program.

Strike Force Hyperion comprises detectives from the Drug Squad’s Cannabis Team, with assistance from the NSW Police Air Wing, Police Dog Unit, Radio Electronics Unit and local area commands from the Manning Great Lakes.

During the past week, Strike Force Hyperion officers targeted cannabis crop sites throughout the Manning Great Lakes Local Area Command, including Coopernook, Bulga, Elands, Wallis Lake, Wooton, Coolongolook, Old Bar, Taree, Wang Wauk and Tuncurry.

More than 965 plants, many almost near maturity, were located and seized by police during the operation.

Police also seized 500 grams of dried cannabis during a car stop and search at Coolongolook.

The total estimated potential street value of the plants seized is $1.93 million. All plants seized by police have been now been destroyed.

Two people were charged during the week, including:

A 36-year-old man issued a court attendance notice for possess prohibited plant at Taree, to face Taree Local Court on 13 December 2011;
A 53-year-old woman issued a court attendance notice for possess prohibited drug at Coolongolook to face Forster Local Court on 11 January 2012.
The Cannabis Eradication Program has been running since the mid 1980s with the NSW Police Force preventing more than $230 million worth of cannabis reaching NSW streets.

As in previous years, the 2011-2012 operation will see police conduct a number of similar raids over the next few months in an ongoing effort to target cannabis cultivation.

Drug Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent Nick Bingham, said the Cannabis Eradication Program was all about disrupting the cannabis supply chain in NSW by targeting the source.

“Each year, illegal growers try to hide their crops in remote locations where they won’t be found, but we’ve got you in our sights. You won’t know where or when we’ll strike, but we will find you.”​

here

 

[poledriver]

[NZ] Child's hair tests positive for P

[NZ] Child's hair tests positive for P

Photo / Supplied

A mother high on P was found breastfeeding her baby by police conducting a series of raids as part of a month-long campaign against methamphetamine trafficking.

Police say an alarming number of children are being discovered in drug houses across Waikato and the mother in this case appeared oblivious to the risk she posed to her baby.

Paediatric experts warn babies born in methamphetamine environments could face problems in development for years to come.

Methamphetamine crosses into breast milk in large doses while pregnant women who get high on P risk their babies dying or being disabled.

Waikato District Health Board nursing and midwifery director Sue Hayward said the use of amphetamines in pregnancy was associated with abnormalities in babies such as cleft lip while amphetamine-using mothers often suffered from high blood pressure.

"Babies born to these mothers are at high risk of dying and if they survive they are growth restricted (retarded) and the surviving babies' ability to grow is hampered for life."

Of the 32 properties police searched in the latest police operation, six contained children.


That is on top of the 47 children found at 19 labs around the country this year.

More than 300 children nationwide have been found living in clan labs over the past four years, according to figures released to the Weekend Herald.

Other horrifying finds in the month-long Waikato operation included:

* meth bag and pipe next to baby formula in the kitchen;
* methamphetamine traces in the cot of a one year old;
* methamphetamine traces in the hair of the baby and an older sibling, which showed the children had been exposed to the toxic drug for at least six months; and
* two children, including one with special needs who required regular treatment, living in a P house.

Assistant Police Commissioner Malcolm Burgess said the number of children found in clan labs gave police serious concern, as the dangers and risks from being exposed to a clan lab were enormous - chemical poisoning, chemical burns, fires and explosions. Many of the combustible chemicals used in cooking P were fatal if swallowed.

Detective Inspector Chris Page, who led the month-long operation in the Waikato said the district-wide November sting indicated the number of children exposed to drugs and dealing continued to rise.

"It's not just the risk of fire, explosion or exposure to toxic and potentially carcinogenic chemicals that can put children at risk," he said.

"There is also the psychological ill-effects of being exposed to people involved in organised crime with its inherently destructive nature involving weapons and violence.

"The attitudes and values of these people are a far cry from what can be described as acceptable environments for children to live in."

Police recovered up to 10 grams of methamphetamine, more than $10,000 in cash, four firearms and two stun guns, $34,500 worth of stolen property including several laptops and a $20,000 car.

Older children were also found. At a house in Huntly police arrested a 16-year-old and two adults where Mr Page said the teenager had been exposed to a lifetime of drug dealing and crime.

"The disappointing thing was that essentially the child had been brought up in an environment where drug dealing was considered acceptable and the child's observations could essentially have been their apprenticeship.

"While we're very pleased to be able to catch and prosecute drug dealers it's tainted significantly by the finding of children in the condition they're in, in these houses."

It was the first time in his 27 years on the force Mr Page had encountered a mother breastfeeding while she was high.

Police arrested 22 people including 18 who were charged for Class A drug (methamphetamine) dealing and two for manufacturing.

By Natalie Akoorie | Email Natalie​

here

 

[poledriver]

Woman charged after attempting to internally courier heroin

Woman charged after attempting to internally courier heroin

A 22-year-old Malaysian woman has been charged after attempting to internally import heroin into Australia.

The woman was stopped for questioning by Australian Customs and Border Protection officers when she arrived at Sydney International Airport on a flight from Malaysia on 30 November 2011.

During questioning, Customs and Border Protection officers became suspicious that the woman may have been concealing drugs internally.

The matter was then referred to the Australian Federal Police (AFP) who transferred the woman to hospital for medical examination, where the woman admitted she was concealing foreign objects internally.

The woman later passed a total of 105 pellets weighing approximately 1.05 kilograms in total. Initial testing indicated the pellets contained heroin, with further testing to take place to determine the exact weight and purity.

AFP officers subsequently charged the woman with importing a marketable quantity of a border controlled drug contrary to section 307.2(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).

The woman is expected to appear in Parramatta Bail Court today.

The maximum penalty for importing a marketable quantity of a border controlled drug is 25 years imprisonment and/or a $550,000 fine.​

here

 

[poledriver]

Two arrested after heroin supply investigation - Middle Eastern Organised Crime Squad

Two arrested after heroin supply investigation - Middle Eastern Organised Crime Squad

Two men have been arrested and a firearm seized after a Middle Eastern Organised Crime Squad investigation into heroin supply in Sydney’s south-west.

Officers attached to the squad’s target action group have been investigating the street-level supply of heroin in the Greenacre area and discovered a drug supply enterprise was allegedly being run from a motel room.

About 10.45pm yesterday (Tuesday 6 December 2011), officers attended a motel room on the Hume Highway at Greenacre, arresting two men with the assistance of tactical officers.

Police seized a handgun containing live rounds, additional ammunition, small amounts of substances believed to heroin and methylamphetamine, more than $14,000 cash and drug paraphernalia.

The substances seized will undergo forensic testing.

The two men, a 32-year-old Lugarno man and a 30-year-old Punchbowl man, were taken to Bankstown Police Station and charged with firearms, drugs and proceeds of crime offences.

They were refused bail to face Bankstown Local Court today.​

here

 

[poledriver]

Men charged following Bendigo drug raids

Men charged following Bendigo drug raids

Four men are facing charges after a police drugs raids in the Bendigo area.

Officers searched properties at Bendigo and Lockwood on November 25 following a nine-month investigation.

Stuart Ridge, 38, from Bendigo and a 29-year-old Lockwood man were charged with trafficking and possessing drugs.

Police also searched three properties in Melbourne and charged another two men.

All four men will face court at a later date.​

here

 

[poledriver]

Trio charged over cannabis haul

Trio charged over cannabis haul

Police have charged three men after finding nearly 16 kilograms of cannabis in a car near Mildura.

New South Wales officers pulled over a Victorian car at Buronga yesterday afternoon and found the cannabis with a street value of about $170,000.

A short time later, another vehicle that police had seen travelling with the first vehicle was also stopped at Euston and about $70,000 worth of cash was found.

Three men in their 20s are due to appear in Wentworth Local Court later today.​

here

 

[poledriver]

11 arrested in drug busts

11 arrested in drug busts

Eleven people have been arrested in a series of drug raids in the Goulburn area.

Detectives issued six search warrants across in Goulburn and one in south-west Sydney as part of Strike Force Oppy.

Yesterday, 80 officers from Goulburn, Lake Illawarra and Monaro, as well as the dog squad, swooped on homes, seizing drugs believed to be ice, ecstasy and cannabis.

Among other items seized were business records, mobile phones and other anything believed to be connected to supplying drugs.

The Goulburn local area commander, Gary Worboys, says the four-month operation was built around tip-offs and police intelligence.

He says most arrests were on people allegedly supplying drugs in the town's streets, homes, cafes and licensed venues.​

here