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

[Jabberwocky]

Acquitted Australian Dominic Bird must stay in Malaysia pending drug trafficking appeal

An Australian man acquitted in Malaysia of drug trafficking has been ordered to surrender his passport and remain in the country pending a government appeal.

Dominic Bird, 33, was acquitted two weeks ago, seemingly ending an 18-month legal ordeal.

But he was arrested five days later as he sought to leave the country for his home in Perth.

Authorities said they would appeal against his acquittal.

Mr Bird's lawyers called his re-arrest unconstitutional, but a three-judge panel today rejected that argument.

"An appeal is a continuation of a trial. Consequently, criminal proceedings against the respondent are revived," the panel's head justice Azhar Mohamed said.

The panel granted Mr Bird bail but ordered him to surrender his passport.

"We order that an early date be fixed for the appeal," Justice Azhar said.

Mr Bird's lawyer Shafee Abdullah said his legal team will continue to argue the unconstitutionality of the re-arrest.

He says it is uncertain when the government's appeal against Mr Bird's acquittal will begin.

Mr Bird, from the southern Perth suburb of Success, was arrested in March last year after allegedly trying to sell 167 grams of methamphetamine to an undercover police officer.

Possession of more than 50 grams of the drug carries a mandatory death penalty in Malaysia.

But a judge in Kuala Lumpur acquitted Mr Bird on September 4, saying the prosecution had failed to prove its case.

The credibility of the police inspector involved in the sting has been repeatedly questioned, and he was charged and fined for contempt for attempting to intimidate and bribe a witness two weeks ago.

Defence lawyers had based much of their case on the assertion that a government chemist had erred when analysing the substance found on their client.

Since 1960 nearly 450 people have been put to death under Malaysia's tough anti-drug laws.

Two Australians were executed in 1986 for heroin trafficking - the first Westerners to be hanged.

The government has not issued a breakdown by nationality of those on death row but it said last year 449 foreigners were among those awaiting trial for offences that could potentially incur the death penalty.

Hundreds of people are on death row, many for drug-related offences, though few have been executed in recent years.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-09-...ered-to-stay-in-malaysia-drugs-appeal/4963248

 

[Jabberwocky]

Man who died after Defqon1 dance party 'took three pills'

A man who died after attending a Sydney dance festival took three pills, New South Wales Police said.

The 23-year-old travelled from Victoria to Penrith, in Sydney's west, for the Defqon1 festival on Saturday, which attracted about 18,000 hard trance fans.

He started having seizures just before midday and was taken to Nepean Hospital where he had several heart attacks.

Doctors managed to resuscitate him, but he later died.

Head of the Drug Squad Detective Superintendent Nick Bingham says the man admitted taking drugs.

"He told hospital staff that he took three pills," he said.


AUDIO: Detective Superintendent Nick Bingham speaks to 702 ABC Sydney (ABC News)
"There was another substance or substances with him, but we don't know if he took those pills or not."

Superintendent Bingham says he does not know what kind of pills they were, but police were confiscating many that had a horse head logo on the packet.

Detective Superintendent Bingham says the drugs were probably an imitation of ecstasy.

Death puts sniffer dogs under scrutiny

Police sniffer dogs patrolled the event and 84 people were arrested for drug offences.

Detective Superintendent Bingham says he understands that seeing the sniffer dogs may prompt some people to swallow all their pills at once, rather than risk arrest by police.

But he says the police cannot be blamed for doing their job.

"People have to be responsible for their own actions," he said.

"You can't blame the police for going out an policing a venue for trying to stop people from taking these substances.

"If they go, if they're willing to as you say stuff these pills down their throat before they even go into the venue, that's hardly the police's fault."

Detective Superintendent Arthur Katsogiannis says the man may have swallowed the three pills at once because he wanted them to take effect faster.

"Some of the drugs that they may have taken over the weekend had an actual delayed effect," he said.

"So with that delayed effect that may have caused them to think 'this is not working, I'll take another one, and I'll take another one.'

"Obviously in this particular young man's situation it proved to be fatal."

Organiser saddened by death, cites zero-tolerance drug policy

Fourteen others were treated for suspected drug overdoses at the festival.

The event's organiser, Q-Dance Australia, says it is deeply saddened by the man's death.

The company says it has a zero-tolerance drug policy which is printed on every ticket sold along with a notice of a strong police presence.

Q-Dance says it tries to provide a safe environment through high security and a medical plan which is reviewed by NSW Health.

Detective Inspector Grant Healey says police have spoken to others who admitted taking pills.

"The problem with pills is you don't know what you're getting, and you're really having a lottery with your life taking those pills," he said.

Police are waiting for toxicology results and a report will be prepared for the Coroner.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-09-16/dance-party-drug-victim-27took-three-pills27/4959608

 

[Jabberwocky]

Forty arrested in Vic drug operation

Six people have been charged with heroin trafficking in an operation targeting a suburb in Melbourne's west.

Police arrested 40 people as part of the five-week investigation into the drug trade in Footscray's commercial centre.

More than 100 charges were laid, including 60 for trafficking heroin and 20 charges for possessing drugs including heroin, amphetamines, cannabis and prescription drugs.

A number of weapons were also seized including knives and a small pen pistol.

Detective Senior Constable Brendan O'Mahoney said more people were expected to be interviewed in coming weeks.

http://www.skynews.com.au/national/article.aspx?id=906787

 

[Jabberwocky]

Illicit drug arrest - Beverley

An 18-year-old man will face drug trafficking charges after police allegedly uncovered a quantity of drugs at a Beverley address on the weekend.

On Saturday, 14 September, police from Western Adelaide Operation Mantle searched a premises at Beverley. They allegedly located 27 MDMA capsules and two LSD tabs.

On Sunday, 15 September, subsequent inquiries resulted in the arrest of an 18-year-old Beverley man. He was charged with trafficking a controlled drug and bailed to appear in the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court at on 2 October.

http://www.sapolicenews.com.au/comp...-news/17250-illicit-drug-arrest-beverley.html

 

[Jabberwocky]

Austrian man charged over drug find in SA

AN Austrian man has been charged with importing four kilograms of methamphetamine allegedly hidden in his bag as he arrived in Australia on a flight from Singapore.

Customs officials say the 56-year-old man was detained at Adelaide Airport on Tuesday after being selected for a baggage check.

Officers noticed the man's bag was unusually heavy when empty and after pulling it apart found the drugs.

He was charged by Australian Federal Police with importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug and is expected to appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/new...-drug-find-in-sa/story-fn3dxiwe-1226720885916

 

[Jabberwocky]

Police seize $60,000 in raids across Ipswich

POLICE seized more than $60,000 in suspected drug money following a spate of weekend drug raids across Ipswich.

Officers used search warrants on properties in Riverview, Booval and Lowood during a 24-hour period on Friday and Saturday.

As well as the cash, police found drugs and drug paraphernalia, including an extensive hydroponic set-up at a Lowood house.

A total of $35,000 was found at a property in Raceview, and the search at Booval netted $28,100 in cash.

Inspector Dave Preston, of Ipswich police, said three men had been arrested.

He said the money would go into a QPS trust account.

If forfeited through the court process, the money would then be transferred to state revenue.

Insp Preston said many drug busts were the result of information received from the public.

"We get a lot of our information to identify who our targets are, from the community through initiatives like Crime Stoppers," he said.

"I think a lot of residents have had enough of these kinds of offenders and their impact on the community.

"It can take a fair bit of work to build up a case but a single report of suspicious activity can lead to good arrests like this."

Insp Preston said drug busts were a regular occurrence in Ipswich.

But the drug problem was not any worse than the rest of the state.

http://www.mydailynews.com.au/news/police-seize-60000-in-raids-across-region/1988743/

 

[Jabberwocky]

Three men plead guilty in Spanish cocaine smuggling case

THREE men at the centre of one of the biggest cocaine busts in Australian history have admitted their guilt in Bundaberg Supreme Court.

Jose Herrero-Calvo, 40, Ivan Maria Ramos Valea, 36 and Miguel Angel Sanchez Barrocal, 40 were arraigned in court before Justice Duncan McMeekin today.

Valea pleaded guilty to one count of importing a commercial quantity of border-controlled drugs while Barrocal and Herrero-Calvo pleaded guilty to possessing a commercial quantity of border controlled drugs.

Herrero-Calvo and Valea will proceed to standard sentences while Barrocal's lawyer indicated his case would be a contested sentence.

Their co-accused and the only woman in the group of four is 38-year-old Julia Maria Boada Fernandez, whose trial will begin Wednesday.

The trial was scheduled to begin tomorrow but her barrister was forced to request it be set back a day after another trial he was involved in in Brisbane went for longer than expected.

The three men are expected to be sentenced early next week at the conclusion of Fernandez's trial.

The four are accused of bringing 300kg of cocaine into the country through the Bundaberg Port in 2011.

Valea and Fernandez are accused of smuggling the drug into the Bundaberg Port aboard the yacht Friday Freedom using the Port 2 Port Rally as a cover.

At the time, police alleged the drugs had been hidden in the hull of the yacht and transferred into vehicles which were raided at Bundaberg's turtle roundabout.

Co-ordinated raids on addresses in Bondi and Surfers Paradise also allegedly led to the collective discovery of about $3.5 million.

http://www.mydailynews.com.au/news/three-men-plead-guilty-spanish-cocaine-smuggling-c/1989960/

 

[Jabberwocky]

Men charged in Cairns airport drug bust

A SOUTH Australian man who allegedly travelled through three capital city airports in one day before being busted in Cairns with a suitcase full of cannabis will front court this morning.

The 56-year-old man and a 33-year-old Bentley Park man who allegedly met him at the airport with more than $85,000 in cash have both been charged.

Both men were stopped by police in the short-term parking bay outside the Cairns domestic terminal on Friday.

The older man allegedly had about 12kg of cannabis in a large suitcase when he arrived on a flight from Brisbane about 4.30pm.

Far North drug squad Det Sgt Brad Grace said the man had allegedly travelled from Adelaide to Cairns, via Melbourne and Brisbane throughout the day, although it was uncertain if he had been in possession of the drugs for all three flights.

However, he said it was alleged he had them on the flight between Brisbane and Cairns.

Cairns police and Australian Federal Police descended on the vehicle as soon as the man reached it after leaving the terminal and a subsequent search allegedly found the drugs and money.

Det Sgt Grace said the money was allegedly in a sports bag inside the vehicle.

He said the street value of the drugs was about equivalent to the sum that was allegedly found.

It is alleged the drugs had been destined for the Cairns market.

"Obviously these substances have a detrimental effect in the community so it is good we were able to take this action," Det Sgt Grace said.

The 56-year-old has been charged with possessing dangerous drugs and supplying dangerous drugs and appeared briefly in Cairns Magistrates' Court on Saturday morning. He was remanded in custody and is due to reappear in court this morning.

The 33-year-old from Bentley Park faces charges of supplying dangerous drugs and possession of property suspected of having been used in connection with the commission of a drug offence.
He was granted bail and is to appear on September 17.

http://www.cairns.com.au/article/2013/09/01/247570_local-news.html

 

[Jabberwocky]

Two men arrested after police allegedly uncover drugs and guns - Strike Force Yinnell

Wednesday, 18 September 2013 09:26:45 AM

NB EDITORS: Video of the operation will be disseminated to media later today. Stills will also be available by contacting the Media Unit on 8263 6100.

Two men are due to face court after police located drugs and firearms during two search warrants in Sydney’s west.

Strike Force Yinnell was established by North West Metropolitan Regional Enforcement Squad in July 2013, to investigate the ongoing supply of prohibited drugs in Wentworthville.

Following inquiries, police executed a search warrant at two houses in Wentworthville at 5pm yesterday (Tuesday 17 September 2013).

During a search of a house on Dunmore Street, police allege they located a firearm, cash, a stun gun, cannabis plants and 1000 pills which will undergo drug analysis.

A 28-year-old man was arrested and taken to Parramatta Police Station.

He was charged with supply large commercial quantity of prohibited drug, possess unlawful firearm, deal in proceeds of crime, not keep firearm safe, possess ammunition and cultivate prohibited drug.

He was refused bail and will appear in Parramatta Local Court today (Wednesday 18 September 2013).

At a second address on Emert Street, police located a .22 calibre rifle, ammunition and cannabis.

A 30-year-old man was arrested and taken to Blacktown Police Station where he was charged with possess shortened firearm, not keep firearm safe, possess ammunition and possess cannabis.

He was granted conditional bail and will appear in Blacktown Local Court on Thursday 10 October 2013.

Inquiries continue.

http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/news/l...vdi5hdSUyRm1lZGlhJTJGMzI2MjQuaHRtbCZhbGw9MQ==

 

[Jabberwocky]

Drugs, stolen car seized - Operation Talon

Wednesday, 18 September 2013 07:49:32 AM

Officers from Operation Talon have seized prohibited drugs and a stolen car during the execution of a search warrant in Lansvale overnight.

About 10.30pm (Tuesday 17 September 2013), police attached to Operation Talon attended a residence on Harrow Avenue.

During a search of the address, officers located a black VW Golf in the driveway. It's alleged this car was stolen during a carjacking in Canley Heights on 23 March 2013.

Police seized this vehicle and a second VW Golf parked in the garage.

From inside the residence, police also seized amounts of cannabis and methylamphetamine (“ice”), along with a safe.

Investigations are continuing.

Operation Talon was formed in August 2013 to combat public place shootings in Sydney.

Anyone with information that may help reduce gun crime in Sydney should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: https://www1.police.nsw.gov.au/. Information can be provided anonymously.

No matter how seemingly insignificant it may seem, the information you provide could help save a life.

http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/news/l...vdi5hdSUyRm1lZGlhJTJGMzI2MjEuaHRtbCZhbGw9MQ==

 

[Jabberwocky]

Man arrested after drug lab located - Goulburn

A man has been arrested after police uncovered a clandestine drug laboratory in the state’s south today.

About 9am (Tuesday 17 September 2013), officers attached to Goulburn Local Area Command executed a search warrant at a premise on Eleanor Street at Goulburn.

During a search of the property, police will allege they located equipment and chemicals used in the manufacture of prohibited drugs.

It’s further alleged officers discovered a hydroponic cannabis setup as well as an amount of cannabis plants and cannabis leaf at the location.

A crime scene has been established and will be examined by specialist officers.

A 42-year-old man has been arrested and taken to Goulburn Police Station, where he is currently assisting detectives with their inquiries.

While investigations into the matter are continuing, police expect a number of charges to be laid.

http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/news/l...vdi5hdSUyRm1lZGlhJTJGMzI2MTIuaHRtbCZhbGw9MQ==

 

[Jabberwocky]

Man arrested and charged for drug manufacturing - SCC MEOCS

Tuesday, 17 September 2013 09:41:49 AM

Investigators from State Crime Command’s Middle Eastern Organised Crime Squad (MEOCS) have arrested and charged a man with drug manufacturing offences.

On Tuesday 25 June 2013, police executed a search warrant at a property on The Retreat in Bringelly. Inside the property, officers located an active clandestine drug laboratory.

At the time, two men – a 35-year-old from West Hoxton and a 26-year-old from Campsie – were arrested and charged with drug manufacturing offences. Both men remain before the courts.

Yesterday (Monday 16 September 2013), MEOCS investigators arrested a 22-year-old man at a property in Prestons.

He was taken to Liverpool Police Station and charged for the commercial manufacture of prohibited drugs.

He was refused bail and is scheduled to appear in Liverpool Local Court today (Tuesday 17 September 2013).

http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/news/m...vdi5hdSUyRm1lZGlhJTJGMzI1OTkuaHRtbCZhbGw9MQ==

 

[Jabberwocky]

Police appeal for information following interstate drug arrest - Campbelltown

Police are appealing for information following the arrest of a man over drug offences in Campbelltown yesterday.

On Wednesday 4 September 2013, Queensland Police conducted a number of arrests in Brisbane, resulting in the seizure of $700,000 cash, over three kilograms of methylamphetamine (ICE), and over one kilogram of heroin.

Following the arrests, NSW police officers undertook search warrants on two 32-year-old Sydney men, and seized a number of items allegedly to be linked to the arrests in Queensland.

Consequently, Queensland Police obtained arrest warrants for both men for their role in allegedly supplying drugs in NSW to syndicate members.

About 7am yesterday (11 September 2013) NSW police arrested a 32-year-old man and charged him with trafficking in dangerous drugs.

He appeared at Campbelltown Local Court yesterday where he faced an extradition hearing.

He was granted conditional bail, to appear at Brisbane Magistrates Court on Monday 16 September 2013.

http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/news/m...vdi5hdSUyRm1lZGlhJTJGMzI1MTUuaHRtbCZhbGw9MQ==

 

[poledriver]

Media Release: Austrian man charged for importing methamphetamine into Adelaide Airport

The Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (ACBPS) and Australian Federal Police (AFP) seized four kilograms of methamphetamine in Adelaide yesterday.

A 56-year-old Austrian man will appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court today charged with attempting to import up to four kilograms of methamphetamine.

ACBPS officers at the Adelaide Airport selected the man for a baggage examination yesterday, 16 September 2013, after he arrived on a flight from Singapore.

The officers noticed the man’s bag was unusually heavy when empty and also x-rayed the bag. The bag was deconstructed and a white crystalline substance was allegedly found. Initial testing was positive for methamphetamine.

The man was arrested and charged by the AFP with importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, namely methamphetamine, contrary to section 307.1 of the Criminal Code Act (cth) 1995.

The maximum penalty for this offence is life imprisonment and/or a fine of $825,000.

http://www.afp.gov.au/media-centre/...ng-methamphetamine-into-adelaide-airport.aspx

 

[drug_mentor]

Just a friendly reminder that comments aren't allowed in this thread, if you want to comment on an article posted here the correct thread for it is the Australian Drug Busts Discussion Thread.

 

[poledriver]

VIDEO: $900,000 drug bust: Three men charged

THREE men will face a litany of charges after police raided a Port Macquarie business and seized almost $1 million of drugs.

Police allege a backyard chemist was responsible for the manufacture of the commercial-scale quantity of drugs.

The Jindalee Road business was searched on Thursday afternoon and police allegedly found thousands of tablets, 15kg of powder containing the prohibited drug methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) and a pill press machine.

Port Macquarie Police Chief Inspector Shane Cribb said the drug bust would be significant for the area.

"It's an extremely large find, especially for a regional area," Chief Inspector Cribb told the Port News earlier today. He said the operation was a result of an extensive investigation undertaken by officers from the Mid North Coast Local Area Command.

The success of the find reiterates, he said, the strong commitment the LAC has to deter and arrest drug suppliers and manufacturers.

"Every time we detect drugs and every time we arrest offenders involved, you would hope it will slow-up the local trade," he said.

Three men were arrested and taken to Port Macquarie Police Station.

The three men - aged 45, 23 and 49 - were all charged with manufacturing a large commercial quantity of prohibited drug and supplying a large commercial quantity of prohibited drug.

The 45-year-old also was charged with possessing a tablet press.

All three were refused bail to appear at Port Macquarie Local Court today

[video=youtube_share;b6LjcOlos6g]http://youtu.be/b6LjcOlos6g[/video]

^ Video (which wont embed, any chance we can get the video tags enabled here mods?)

http://www.portnews.com.au/story/1790542/video-900000-drug-bust-three-men-charged/?cs=256

http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/news/m...vdi5hdSUyRm1lZGlhJTJGMzI2ODkuaHRtbCZhbGw9MQ==

 

[poledriver]

Media Release: Joint Adelaide operation seizes gun and drugs

This is a joint media release from the Australian Federal Police, Australian Customs and Border Protection Service and South Australia Police.

A joint Australian Federal Police (AFP), Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (ACBPS) and South Australian Police (SAPOL) operation has resulted in the arrest of two people—including a member of the Gypsy Jokers motorcycle gang—in relation to the seizure of a semi-automatic firearm and approximately seven kilograms of cannabis, 38 cannabis plants and four litres of GBL.

A 31-year-old Glanville man was arrested for importing the border controlled drug, gamma-Butyrolactone (GBL). GBL is commonly known for its use as a 'date rape' drug.

The investigation also resulted in the 31-year-old male being charged with drug importation and firearm offences while a 22-year-old Glanville woman was charged with firearms offences.

The operation began earlier this week when ACBPS officers intercepted a package containing eight bottles of a liquid labelled as cleaning fluid. The liquid was tested and returned a positive result for GBL. The package (containing approximately four litres of the liquid) was referred to the AFP for further investigation.

Yesterday (Thursday) the AFP and SAPOL Serious and Organised Crime Investigation Branch conducted a controlled delivery operation. The man took delivery of the package at a residence in Glanville and was later arrested while in a vehicle with the woman.

A search of the vehicle discovered a firearm and a large amount of ammunition.

A further search conducted by SAPOL at another associated residence in Burton discovered approximately 800ml of GBL, approximately seven kilograms of cannabis, 38 cannabis plants and hydroponic growing equipment.

AFP Manager Adelaide Office Mick Calatzis warned anyone thinking of importing drugs through the mail to think again.

"If you try to bring in drugs through the mail system you face the combined efforts of a number of law enforcement agencies," Commander Calatzis said.

"This wasn't a small amount for personal use. GBL is a prohibited drug and four litres of this equates to thousands of doses and any one of those could have tragic outcomes for the user."

"The AFP will continue to work with our border and state counterparts to stem the supply of drugs such this."

ACBPS National Manager Cargo Operations Jagtej Singh commended the officers involved in the initial seizure and subsequent arrests.

"Our solid partnerships with the AFP and SAPOL are paramount in disrupting criminal activity of this nature," Mr Singh said.

The 31-year-old Glanville Man was charged by the AFP with Import a Commercial Quantity of a Border Controlled drug. He was also charged by SAPOL with being an unlicensed person in possession of a firearm.

The 22-year-old Glanville woman was charged by SAPOL with possess a firearm without a licence and possess an insecure firearm.

Further charges for both people are being considered.

The maximum penalty for importing border controlled drugs is life imprisonment and/or an $825,000 fine.

Inquiries into this matter are continuing.

http://www.afp.gov.au/media-centre/...-adelaide-operation-seizes-gun-and-drugs.aspx

 

[poledriver]

Bail denied in NT prison drugs case

BAIL has been denied for a man who allegedly traded drugs with a Darwin prison guard and used her to pass messages to other prisoners, including a suspected Rebels bikie gang leader.

Phillip Noel Kaye, 35, is allegedly part of a six-person drug and corruption ring that operated out of Darwin Correctional Centre and included three prison guards, a police officer and a firefighter.

It's alleged he used prison guard Sarah Rudd to pass messages to other inmates, including organising drug deals, and gave her methamphetamines and MDMA.

At Darwin Magistrates Court on Friday, Magistrate Greg Cavanagh denied him bail, saying there was a real likelihood that he would reoffend if released.

"Given the multitude of offending and his previous record, bail must be refused," Mr Cavanagh said.

Kaye is facing more than a dozen charges, including possession of a trafficable quantity of drugs, unlawfully obtaining confidential information, attempting to pervert the course of justice and official corruption.

"Cheer up," he told an unidentified tearful female supporter as he was led from the courtroom.

His defence argued that bail should be granted because his girlfriend has recently given birth to a seven-week premature baby.

They also said a key witness had made allegations against him last year to police before saying she had lied due to mental illness.

Kaye will reappear in court at a later date.

Read more: http://www.news.com.au/breaking-new...se/story-e6frfku9-1226723871746#ixzz2fQCIBnCh

 

[Jabberwocky]

Operation nets drugs, guns, stolen goods

POLICE are expected to lay dozens of charges after carrying out a metro-wide drug blitz in Perth this morning.

Teams of detectives and uniformed police swooped on homes across Perth as part of ‘Operation Crackdown’ targeting street-level drug dealers.

Officers searched several properties in Guildford, Forrestfield, Willagee, Balga, Rockingham and Mandurah in a series of coordinated raids.

Drugs, including cannabis, methamphetamine and ecstasy, were seized, as well as firearms and stolen property.

Police uncovered several stolen motorbikes, TVs, computers, firearms and home-made weapons during raids in the Peel district.

In Casuarina, officers seized several cars, including a BMW, heavy machinery, trucks and motorbikes at a rural property on Casuarina Dr.

Inside the house, officers located a quantity of drugs and four firearms, including two loaded handguns.

A 34-year-old man is being questioned by police. Charges are yet to be laid.

Peel District Acting Inspector Brett Ranford said the seized property could be linked to a series of commercial burglaries in the area in recent months.

"It's very significant," he said.

"From what I've seen today I think a good portion of the property we're receiving is going to be linked to those offences."

Det Ranford said the raids would impact drug distribution networks in the area.

"We find that hand in hand with illicit drug dealing goes burglaries and stolen vehicles," he said.

"A lot of the time they are swapping stolen property for drugs and that's a big focal point for the search warrants that we're doing today. It's aiming at those drug dealers that will receive stolen property that are proceeds of burglaries."

A woman was arrested at a house in Guildford and police seized more than $10,000 in cash and drugs during raids in the Midland area.

It will be alleged they also uncovered hydroponic drug set-ups at homes in Forrestfield and Bullsbrook.

Clarkson detectives uncovered drug paraphernalia, unlicensed ammunition and two WA Police badges during a raid on a Two Rocks property.

Earlier this week, Clarkson detectives also raided a Meridian Dr home and allegedly found $250,000 of stolen property including a car, motorcycles, electronics and jewellery. They also seized about $50,000 of tools and equipment, believed to be stolen from a local plumbing business.

http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/wes...uns-stolen-goods/story-fnhocxo3-1226722974087

 

[Jabberwocky]

$400,000 cannabis seized after van, semi-trailer stopped in state's west

Friday, 20 September 2013 07:28:34 PM

A 53-year-old man is facing court after more than 40 kilograms of cannabis was found by police in the state’s west.

About 12.15am yesterday (Thursday 19 September 2013) Dareton Police were patrolling the Sturt Highway at Buronga

They stopped a semi trailer and a Ford transit van. It will be alleged a search of the vehicles located cannabis with an estimated potential street value of $400,000.

A 53-year-old man was subsequently charged with supplying a commercial quantity of a prohibited drug.

He was refused bail and appeared in Broken Hill Local Court yesterday. There he was refused bail until he reappears in that same court on 24 September 2013.

http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/news/m...vdi5hdSUyRm1lZGlhJTJGMzI3MTIuaHRtbCZhbGw9MQ==