The Australian/NZ Drug Busts Mega-Thread Part Deux

[2sleepy]

20 kilograms of MDMA was seized in Safety Bay, south of Perth, two years ago (file) (ABC)

Extradition for alleged drug kingpin

Updated March 19, 2010 13:58:00
Part of a drug bust of MDMA (file)

20 kilograms of MDMA was seized in Safety Bay, south of Perth, two years ago (file) (ABC)

* Map: Safety Bay 6169

Police in Perth say a man wanted over the seizure of one of the state's biggest drug busts two years ago has been arrested in Sydney.

They say 57 year old Kosta Doncev will be extradited to Perth tonight.

It is alleged he failed to appear in court in March last year to face charges of conspiracy to possess ecstasy and attempting to possess a prohibited drug.

Superintendent Charlie Carver says the charges relate to the seizure of 20 kilograms of the drug.

"Two men have also been previously arrested and one of those men has been jailed for 13 years in relation to the offence involving twenty kilograms of ecstasy which was located at a house in Safety bay in 2007.

"At the time it was the largest haul of ecstasy in the state and had a street value of approximately $12 million."

source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/03/19/2850714.htm

 

[JoshE]

Aussies arrested for yacht drugs in Paua New Guinea

FIVE Australian men have been arrested in Papua New Guinea for possessing almost half a kilogram of marijuana on their yacht.

The men were picked up on Friday in the Autonomous Bougainville Region, in PNG's east, having sailed from the Solomon Islands, sources told AAP.

After a tip-off from locals, police searched their yacht and discovered 470g of marijuana.

A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesman confirmed Friday's arrests.

"A 46-year old Australian man from Queensland and four other Australians (are) all on drug charges,'' he said.

"The Australian High Commission in Port Moresby has arranged for its representative to visit the five Australians in detention to provide them with consular assistance,'' he said.

Today in the Bougainville town of Buka the five men faced court on drug possession charges. They were each granted 1,000 kina ($400) bail to reappear on Thursday.

It is understood local authorities are investigating whether the group has proper customs and immigration papers.

Source: http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/bre...-paua-new-guinea/story-e6frg12u-1225843968510

 

[kingpin007]

Police claim Tiny Teddies coated with LSD

Aleks Devic

March 25th, 2010

TINY Teddy biscuits laced with LSD were seized in police raids that led to 15 people facing serious drugs charges, Geelong Magistrates' Court heard yesterday.

Tuesday's police swoop on 13 homes across Geelong, the Surf Coast and Werribee netted drugs, guns knives, and cars, the court heard.

The accused drug syndicate mastermind, Torquay's Dominic Battaglia, 49, was among those to face court yesterday.

The court was told his son Jordan Battaglia, 19, helped his father traffick drugs, including ecstasy, cannabis and LSD.

Constable Steve Robertson said police secretly tapped Mr Battaglia's phone between February 25 and March 23, which led to 3200 phone calls and messages being intercepted.

Covert surveillance had also been conducted on his home.

The court was told Aiden Devoy, 19, was arrested at a Bellbrae property with a large quantity of LSD, including Tiny Teddy biscuits coated with the drug, inside his Nissan Skyline.

Constable Robertson said police also found a 50cm machete, two kitchen knives and one pocket knife in Mr Devoy's car.

Police opposed bail for Mr Devoy, saying he had no fixed address, was unemployed and selling drugs was a way of getting cash. "He's possibly going to get back into his lifestyle of trafficking," Constable Robertson said.

Police had also found a list of names and phone numbers for drug clients in his shoe, the court heard.

Mr Devoy sold 25 tabs of LSD in the past three weeks, the court was told before he was granted bail.

Riley McCrohan, 18, arrived at his parents' Bellbrae property with Mr Devoy soon after police started their raid.

Constable Naomi Bourke said ecstasy tablets, white powder, crystal substance and cannabis found at the home belonged to Mr McCrohan.

Police found several sheets of LSD and some had Sponge Bob Square Pants stamped on them along with more Tiny Teddys, Constable Bourke said.

Drugs called DMT, that have a stronger hallucinogen in them than LSD, had also been hidden in women's purses.

It is alleged Mr McCrohan sold between $500 and $2000 worth of ecstasy and LSD each week.

Magistrate Michael Coghlan adjourned Mr McCrohan's bail application until tomorrow.

"It's a significant quantity of drugs ... which are a huge problem in this community," Mr Coghlan said.

Constable Roberts said Jordan Battaglia's role was to buy drugs from his father including LSD, cannabis and ecstasy and sell them to other people.

Police had found a small amount of marijuana in his Torquay home, scales, a bong and a marijuana plant.

Jordan Battaglia was granted bail while his father, Dominic, did not apply for bail.

The court was told of several conversations between Paraparap's Timothy Wall, 29, and Mr Battaglia discussing LSD and codenaming it with the word "cardboard".

Police said Mr Wall sold 7g of amphetamines a week during the past eight months for up to $1500.

She said police also found 11g of amphetamines, cannabis, a crystal powder in a bowl and a straw used to divide up the amphetamines.

Police had also found an air-rifle and two other guns at the Paraparap home.

Hayden Muir, 23, of Anglesea, was also charged after police found white powder in zip-lock bags stored in a spaghetti tin and an ecstasy pill.

Police allege Mr Muir bought ecstasy, LSD and amphetamines for his friends but did not consider it trafficking because he did not make money from it.

The court was told Belmont's William Benfield, 26, had several conversations with Dominic Battaglia discussing the purchase and sale of LSD.

Police allege Mr Benfield attended the ring leader's home and sold him a sheet of LSD valued at $1300.

Others caught in the drug raid were bailed during an out-of-sessions court hearing on Tuesday. All matters stemming from the investigation return to court on June 25.

http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2010/03/25/158061_news.html

 

[KyesaRRi]

Ecstasy, cannabis in major drug bust

http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2010/03/31/2861455.htm?site=riverland

31 March, 2010 11:08AM ACDT

Riverland police have charged 36 people from across the Riverland, as well as Murray Bridge with a range of offences in a massive drug bust code named Operation Swill. The operation commenced mid last year and culminated Related Photos n a series of police raids, arrests and the seizure of drugs and cash from properties in Murray Bridge, Berri Renmark, Barmera, Loxton and Waikerie in what senior police describe as a significant amphetamine network

The head of Murray Mallee Police, Superintendent Ian Parrot, said the entire operation had removed almost 11,000 street deals of amphetamines, LSD and ecstasy from the Riverland region.

"If you look at just the number of people involved, this is a significant number involved in the illicit drug trade," Superintendent Parrot said

He praised the hard work of local Riverland police and detectives as well as the STAR force over nearly eight months that ended with the raids and charges Superintendent Parrot also said police had uncovered inks back to Adelaide as a result of the investigation but said this latest bust had made a massive dent in the loca supply of amphetamines and illicit drugs

During the raids police discovered 246 grams of amphetamine, 350 ecstasy tablets, a small quantity of LSD tablets, more than 130 cannabis plants, 500 grams of dried cannabis as well as $34,000 in cash

By "LSD tablets" I am going to assume they mean blotter and not microdots but I guess we will never know.

 

[JoshE]

Man on drug charges after booze bus check

A MAN is facing multiple drug charges after being pulled over during by a booze bus operation in Guildford yesterday.

Police say they became suspicious when they stopped the man's car in West Swan Rd about 4.30pm and, after searching the car and its driver, they allegedly found a quantity of drugs.

The driver was charged with possessing cannabis with intent to sell or supply and possessing amphetamines with intent to sell or supply and was remanded without bail.

He will appear in Perth Central Law Courts today.

Source: Perthnow

 

[kingpin007]

Airport drug courier sent to jail

Updated 2 hours 31 minutes ago

The District Court has jailed a woman who was caught with drugs at Adelaide Airport.

Leanne Elizabeth Gray, 34, was caught with nearly 10 kilograms of dried cannabis in her luggage last April.

The court heard Gray was to be paid $2,000 to carry the drugs to Sydney.

Judge Paul Cuthbertson sentenced her to five years in prison with a non-parole term of two years and three months.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/04/06/2865094.htm?section=justin

 

[kingpin007]

NT police seize $900k drug haul

NADJA HAINKE

April 7th, 2010

NT Police believe they have dismantled an organised crime syndicate of smugglers after seizing $900,000 worth of drugs.

Police arrested three men from New South Wales, aged 34, 34 and 33, after they were found allegedly possessing more than 900g of high-purity methylamphetamine.

They allege one of the men had the drugs concealed in a fire extinguisher while travelling from Sydney to Darwin by truck.

He allegedly met with the other men at an apartment in Cullen Bay from where they were allegedly planning on supplying drugs to the wider community.

The men appeared in Darwin Magistrates Court yesterday in relation to several offences.

They were refused bail.

Two Darwin men and a man from NSW were also charged.

Detective superintendent Peter Bravos said the bust was a "significant seizure".

"The Territory police is committed to keeping our community safe and will continue to disrupt organised crime groups from transporting and distributing illicit drugs into our community," he said.

http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2010/04/07/137401_ntnews.html

 

[smiggle]

A man who featured in controversial pre-election anti-union advertising in 2007 is among eight people arrested in a series of Melbourne heroin raids.

Mark 'Porky' Lesser and his brother Ian appeared in court on Tuesday charged after 189 grams of heroin was found hidden in a sock up a tree in a bayside Melbourne property on Monday.

Mark Lesser worked as an actor playing one of three 'union thugs' with the Construction Forestry Mining Energy Union (CFMEU) in the 2007 pro-Howard government, pro-Work Choices ad.

The series of commercials were quickly pulled from the air in controversial and embarrassing circumstances amid union protests.

The Business Coalition for Workplace Reform - which included 19 business groups - ran a $10.5 million campaign leading up to the 2007 federal election, amidst division among Australians over the government's Work Choices industrial relations reforms.

In the ad, three beefy CFMEU men march into a small business with a voice-over gloomily warning people that a Kevin Rudd government would mean "unions get new legal powers to tell them how to run their business".

The men then turn off the lights.

Liberals' campaign strategists Crosby Textor produced the commercials.

Mark Lesser, 51, from Brighton and his brother Ian Lesser, 57, from Elwood appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Tuesday on charges of trafficking a commercial quantity of illicit drugs and possessing proceeds of crime.

The brothers were remanded in custody by magistrate Fiona Stewart to appear in court again on July 7 and did not enter a plea or apply for bail.

Police from the Moorabbin Divisional Response Unit, in Melbourne's south, led raids on Monday after a nine-month drug investigation and arrested eight people.

Acting Inspector Mark Zervaas said the arrests would have a significant impact on the flow of illicit drugs in Melbourne's southeast.

"As part of this operation, police also seized a number of assets suspected of being proceeds of crime, including three cars," he said in a statement.

"Not only do drug traffickers face heavy penalties, they also face losing assets accumulated through illegal activities."

Police seized amphetamines, heroin and cannabis on Monday - including the heroin in a sock at Elwood - following raids in suburbs including Brighton, Moorabbin, Bentleigh, Fitzroy and Port Melbourne.

The raids followed a nine month drug investigation and police also seized three cars and $7,950 in travellers cheques.

Seven people were charged and one cautioned over various offences including drug trafficking, possession and breaches of an intervention order.

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/1039042/heroin-haul-found-in-sock-hidden-in-tree

 

[2sleepy]

More drug raids to come

More drug raids to come

DAMIEN BROWN

April 16, 2010 07:25am

RAIDS that have netted $250,000 in illicit drugs, firearms and stolen cash are just the tip of the iceberg, police says.

Among the drugs seized in the pre-dawn raids were amphetamines, ecstasy tablets and cannabis.

The raids were part of a national sting and covered an area from Mangalore, 36km north of Hobart, to Sandfly, 20km south of the city.

They started before dawn yesterday and ended just after 2pm.

Sixty detectives and uniform police were involved in the operation, which has so far resulted in a 31-year-old woman and a 37-year-old man being charged with trafficking offences.

The name of the operation, how long it has been going and when it is likely to end remains under wraps.

But Tasmania Police Detective Inspector Colin Riley confirmed that investigations were continuing and further charges and seizures were "more than likely".

Police were able to recover:

• 227g of amphetamines with an estimated street value of $112,000.

• 300 MDMA, or ecstasy tablets, with an estimated street value of $9000.

• A large quantity of cannabis valued at $16,000.

• More than $70,000 in cash.

• Firearms and ammunition believed to be valued around $50,000.

In another similar sweep in Victoria, five men and two women were arrested after police raided 18 addresses across Melbourne.

Among the assets seized by police in the raids were 1.5kg of amphetamines, more than $230,000 in cash, six firearms, a 7m wake boat and trailer, a Sea Doo jet boat, and a Darwin carpet python, which has been taken to a wildlife shelter.

A street-level blitz was also conducted in a Sydney suburban mall, resulting in the arrests of 15 people.

Det-Insp Riley said getting the lethal items off the streets was satisfying but the investigation was continuing.

"This is a very good result to get this sort of quantity of drugs off the streets, including the firearms," he said.

"This was a planned operation and is part of an ongoing, much bigger operation with firearms and drugs.

"From the quantities we have here, this is what I would believe is a significant ring we have busted."

He said the destructive impact that illicit drugs had on society had been lessened with the success of the operation.

"When you talk about the quantities we have here and the street value, there are implications on the street and, of course, downstream implications for society.

"By removing them from the street you reduce the risk of further crime and potentially save lives."

Source:http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2010/04/16/140065_tasmania-news.html

 

[2sleepy]

Drug-raid accused in court

SALLY GLAETZER

April 16, 2010 01:01pm

A MAN arrested yesterday after a series of drug raids appeared in the Hobart Magistrates Court this morning.

Justin Richard Maynard, 37, of Maun St, Rokeby, is charged with two counts of possessing a firearm without a licence, two counts of possessing an unregistered firearm, possessing a silencer, possessing ammunition without a licence and unlawfully possessing property.

He is accused of illegally possessing a Baretta pistol, a Smith and Wesson .38 calibre revolver, .38 calibre ammunition and cash totalling $51,150.

Police allege the cash is "reasonably believed" to have been stolen or "unlawfully obtained".

Mr Maynard is also charged with two counts of trafficking in a controlled substance, namely methylamphetamine and MDMA, or ecstasy.

He did not enter a plea when he appeared before Magistrate Chris Webster this morning.

Mr Webster ordered him to face court again via video link from prison on April 29.

Source: http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2010/04/16/140321_scalesofjustice.html

 

[Klue]

Man to face court after cannabis plantation discovered – Brindabella National Park

Thursday, 15 Apr 2010 07:47am

A man will front court today after joint operation by state and federal police uncovered a major cannabis plantation in bushland west of Canberra.

The 52-year-old man was arrested during a covert operation involving police from Monaro Local Area Command and the Australian Federal Police in the Brindabella National Park just before 2pm yesterday (Wednesday 14 April).

More than 30 cannabis plants, most about 3m tall, were seized by investigators along with more than 10kg of harvested cannabis head.

A search warrant executed by the AFP’s Criminal Investigation Drug Team on the man’s residence at Holt in the Australian Capital Territory allegedly netted an additional 3.5kg of cannabis.

The drugs have an estimated potential street value of approximately $180,000.

The man was taken to Queanbeyan Police Station and charged with cultivate prohibited plant greater than indictable quantity; possess prohibited drug (cannabis); and supply prohibited drug greater than indictable quantity (cannabis).

He’s been refused bail to appear in Queanbeyan Local Court today.

Investigations are continuing and it’s expected the man will face additional charges in relation to the alleged seizures from his home.

Link

 

[Klue]

Cannabis accused granted bail

A Canberra man accused of cultivating a major cannabis plantation worth $180,000 in the Brindabella National Park has been granted bail for medical reasons.

Tode Dojcinoski of Holt was arrested at the bushland crop site yesterday afternoon, where police alleged they found 32 plants, some up to 3m tall.

Officers who searched the 52-year-old’s home allegedly found a further 3.5kg of cannabis estimated to have a potential street value of $180,000.

Dojcinoski’s lawyer told Queanbeyan Local Court Magistrate Doug Dick that his client had lived at the same address for 25 years, had health problems and was not a flight risk.

The police prosecutor did not oppose bail and Dojcinoski was released to reappear in court next month.

Link

 

[Klue]

Clandestine lab discovered in self-storage facility – Toormina

Thursday, 15 Apr 2010 11:25am

Police have uncovered a clandestine laboratory in a self-storage unit in Toormina on the state’s north coast.

About 3.30pm yesterday police from Coffs/Clarence Local Area Command executed a search warrant upon a home on Brodie Drive, Coffs Harbour.

Police located a quantity of cannabis and issued a 35-year-old male with a Court Attendance Notice.

About 6.30pm police attended a self-storage facility in Craft Close, Toormina and located paraphernalia police will allege can be used to manufacture drugs.

A crime scene was established and specialist officers attended the scene.

Police urge anyone with information about illegal drug supply or manufacture to contact Coffs/Clarence detectives on (02) 6652 0299 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Link

 

[Klue]

Drug labs busted

Craig Mctear | 16th April 2010

SPECIALIST police from the NSW Crime Command’s clandestine laboratories unit arrived in Coffs yesterday following a series of raids late on Wednesday.

Raid: The storage facility in Toormina.

A MAJOR investigation is now under way into the manufacture of prohibited drugs on the Coffs Coast.

Specialist police from the State Crime Command’s clandestine laboratories unit arrived in the city yesterday afternoon following a series of raids late on Wednesday.

Coffs Harbour detectives and general duties police swooped on a house in Coffs Harbour’s Brodie Drive and the raid led them to a storage bay at Coffs Harbour Hi-Tech Self Storage in Toormina’s Craft Close at 6pm.

Officers found equipment including glassware, piping and tubes which they believe could be used in making prohibited drugs, namely amphetamines.

Police shut down the storage unit, established a crime scene and set up a police guard ahead of the arrival of drugs squad police from Sydney to further examine the scene.

“Because of the volatility of the chemicals used in the manufacture of prohibited drugs and because of the inherent dangers they pose, we lock everything down to prevent risks to the public and ourselves,” said acting Coffs/Clarence crime manager, Detective Acting Inspector Peter O’Reilly.

“People need to be aware clandestine drug laboratories pose a huge risk to the community because of the materials used.

“The drugs produced by them also have a negative impact on the community.”

At the Brodie Street premises, police found 28 grams of cannabis and electrical gear, which has been seized for forensic analysis.

A man, 35, who was at the home when police arrived was subsequently charged with prohibited drug possession.

He will appear in court at a later date.

The seizures follow last month’s dismantling of a suspected clandestine drug laboratory in Coffs Harbour’s Toormina Place.

Mr O’Reilly urged residents to be on the lookout for illegal drug activity in their neighbourhood – black plastic over windows and chemical smells were sure signs of suspicious activity.

Link

 

[Klue]

Man charged after home searched – Central Hunter

Thursday, 15 Apr 2010 05:20pm

Police from Central Hunter Local Area Command yesterday arrested a 49-year-old man in relation to a search warrant on a property at Patterson.

Police allege they located precursors and equipment used to manufacture amphetamines, as well as cannabis and cannabis plants.

The man was refused bail overnight and appeared in Maitland Local Court today, where he was granted conditional bail to appear in Dungog Local Court on 12 May.

Police from specialist commands, as well as NSW Fire Brigades officers and Hazmat specialists, today dismantled and removed chemicals and equipment at the scene.

Link

 

[Jabberwocky]

I never knews pills these days were methylamphetamine.

Two men charged after $2.4 million of drugs seized by police From: AAP April 21, 2010 12:23PM

TWO men have been charged after almost 100,000 pills with an estimated street value of $2.4 million were seized in Sydney's west.
The Erskine Park men, aged 29 and 24, were arrested yesterday afternoon after drug squad detectives searched properties at Fantail Crescent and Pelican St.

Twenty-three kilograms of methylamphetamine tablets were seized in the raids and two explosive devices were found in the Fantail Crescent house, police said.

Members of the Rescue and Bomb Disposal Squad were called to remove the devices.

Three pill presses and 19 other pieces of equipment allegedly used in the manufacture of drugs were also seized.

Police said the estimated street value of the 96,000 pills is $2.4 million.

The men have been charged with supplying a commercial quality of a prohibited drug and refused bail.


They are due to appear before Penrith Local Court today.

 

[kingpin007]

Operation Sabre targets drug dealers

Monday, May 03, 2010 » 11:39am

West Australian police have seized drugs, guns and stolen motorbikes as part of a crackdown on drug dealers.

Three hundred officers have raided more than 80 properties across the state since Friday as part of the operation, codenamed Sabre.

Detective Superintendent Charlie Carver says mid to high-level drug dealers will be targeted.

'You deals in drugs, we're going to come looking for you,' Superintendent Carver said.

'These people deal in other people's misery and we're not accepting that.'

Among the haul was half a kilogram of BZP (a drug with effects similar to amphetamines), more than 8kg of cannabis, two handguns and more than $80,000 in cash.

He says tip-offs from the public have helped in the arrest of 44 people so far.

http://bigpondnews.com/articles/Nat...ration_Sabre_targets_drug_dealers_457762.html

 

[marley]

Mayfield man to face Newcastle court after drug lab raid
BY BEN SMEE
06 May, 2010 09:23 AM
A MAYFIELD man has been charged with drug manufacturing offences after a raid on a clandestine ecstasy lab, police say.

Detectives from the Newcastle Local Area Command drug squad converged on an Ida Street, Mayfield, house about 7.30am yesterday.

They arrested a man, 29, and charged him with drug manufacturing and traffic offences.

Inside the house they allegedly found equipment and chemicals used for the manufacture of ecstasy.

The extent of the alleged drug set-up and the amount of chemicals seized by detectives was not yet fully known.

Newcastle duty officer Jim McArthur said it had taken police a considerable amount of time to search the house because of the potentially dangerous chemicals involved.

The alleged offender will face Newcastle Local Court today.

http://www.theherald.com.au/news/lo...castle-court-after-drug-lab-raid/1822036.aspx

 

[2sleepy]

10000+ Ecstacy Tablets Seized

Camden police seize more than 10,000 ecstacy tablets
MICHELLE FENECH
27 May, 2010 04:47 PM


Camden police have uncovered a sophisticated drug syndicate operating in the Camden and Campbelltown areas.

Four men have been arrested and more than 10,000 ecstacy tablets with a street value of $200,000 has been seized from homes in Camden, Narellan Vale, Camden Park, Mount Hunter, Leumeah, Rosemeadow, Glen Alpine and Caringbah.

Camden crime manager Paul Albury said the Camden Local Area Command had been investigating the commercial supply of ecstacy tablets in the Camden and Campbelltown areas since December last year.

''As a result of intensive investigations police have conducted a number of covert phases leading to the arrest of three people,'' he said.

''Three people were arrested at the Cross Roads Supercenta today (Thursday) at 10.45am.''

A Glen Alpine man, 20, Leumeah man, 22, and Rosemeadow man, 20, were arrested allegedly in possession of 5000 ecstacy tablets and $40,000 cash.

Police have seized a further 5000 ecstacy tablets, amphetamine powder, steroids, cannabis and cash following the execution of simultaneous search warrants.

Inspector Albury said the estimated street value of the drugs seized so far was about $200,000.

''Searches are still being conducted and a number of them will continue long into the afternoon,'' he said.

''It's the most significant drug operation run at Camden in the command's history.''

One hundred and twenty police officers were involved in the operation.

The three men assisting police with their enquiries are expected to be charged later this afternoon in relation to commercial drug supply.

Updated at 3.40pm:

At this point in time police have seized 10,097 ecstasy tablets, 40 vials of steroids, 160g of cannabis, 10 grams amphetamines, two grams of cocaine, $63,290 cash and approximately $400,000 in counterfeit Australian currency.

A man from Camden Park, 41 has been charged with possessing prohibited drugs.

The other three men are yet to be charged.

BUSTS

Pomara Grove Narellan Vale, Alpha Road Camden, Remembrance Drive Camden Park, Julius Road Rosemeadow, Angle Road Leumeah, Braeside Crescent Glen Alpine, Berkley Way Rosemeadow, Spring Creek Road Mount Hunter, Resolution Drive Carinbah.

Source: http://www.camdenadvertiser.com.au/news/local/news/general/camden-police-seize-more-than-10000-ecstacy-tablets/1842184.aspx

Video of Bust: http://www.camdenadvertiser.com.au/news/local/news/general/video-men-charged-after-drug-raids-in-camden/1842902.aspx

 

[Boris Badenov]

Five in court over massive cocaine haul
May 29, 2010 - 12:08PM

Four men and one woman will face court in Sydney after police seized $11.5 million worth of cocaine that was on its way to Australia from the United Kingdom disguised as tins of powdered nuts.

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) said the two air cargo consignments, containing 33 kilograms of cocaine, arrived in London from Mexico earlier this month and were addressed to a business premises in Sydney.

The UK police seized the drugs and replaced them with fake substitutes.

A 41-year-old Marrickville man took delivery of the two packages at a storage facility in Sydney’s west on Tuesday, the AFP said.

On Thursday, a 47-year-old US man arrived in Sydney from Los Angeles and helped the Marrickville man transfer the boxes to a hotel in the Sydney CBD where they began to unpack them.

The next day, the AFP arrested the two men along with three US citizens, including a 25-year-old American woman.

The AFP said the haul was significant and that the operation, initiated by the UK Border Agency, had stopped the drugs from hitting the Australian streets.

‘‘This seizure has saved the Australian community approximately $9.5 million in associated health and social costs,’’ AFP acting manager Mick Kelsey told reporters in Sydney today.

"Countless lives would have been affected by this seizure had it reached the streets.’’

AAP

Source: http://www.theage.com.au/national/five-in-court-over-massive-cocaine-haul-20100529-wlvl.html