The Australian/NZ Drug Busts Mega-Thread Part Deux

[poledriver]

Five charged after cannabis raids

Five men have appeared at an out-of-session court hearing in Melbourne, after the largest anti-drug operation in Victoria's history.

Police allegedly found almost 8,000 cannabis plants and seized millions of dollars of assets in raids across the state on Tuesday morning.

The four Vietnamese men and an Australian man are among more than 40 people who have been arrested.

They have been refused bail on charges of cultivating and trafficking cannabis.

The operation, codenamed Entity, is an international investigation targeting the supply of "high potency" cannabis and other drugs, which has been running for two years.

More than 67 properties were raided across metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria and police estimate about $400 million has passed though the alleged syndicate.

It is alleged the cannabis was grown on so-called hydroponic farms and sold locally to fund the importation of heroin from Vietnam.

More than 630 police officers were involved in the dawn raids, including Australian Federal Police (AFP) officers, Immigration officials and Customs officers.

ABC.net.au

 

[xtc123]

Accused drug boss offers record bail surety

A Supreme Court justice says just because an accused drug boss is offering to pay a record surety of $3.45 million, does not guarantee he will remain in the country.

Pasquale Barbaro, 49, of New South Wales, is applying for bail for a fourth time.

He is accused of heading up a drug syndicate responsible for the importation of 4.4 tonnes of ecstasy hidden in a shipment of tomato tins.

He is also charged with the importing 150 kilograms of cocaine, laundering $7.4 million of drug money, and two murder conspiracies.

Barbaro's defence counsel, Con Heliotis, said the case was unlikely to reach trial before 2012, by which time he would have spent 3-and-a-half years on remand.

The prosecution is opposing bail, arguing he is an unacceptable flight risk.

Justice Paul Coghlan dismissed the suggestion that the $3.45 million surety and promise to wear a electronic monitoring device, would reduce flight risk.

"If it's well enough planned, it doesn't actually guarantee anything, if people have got the determination to run away," he said.

The judge also took a swipe at Mr Heliotis's complaints over delay caused by the prosecutions delivery of case material.

"You've got to look at what happened on your part to speed the plough, and what you did was disconnect the horses," Judge Coghlan said.

"What happens is because we're worried about form and we're worried about access, we don't do anything."

He described excuses of lengthy trips to prison as "not very impressive" and said it was a "horrifying" reflection of professional standards.

A decision on bail is expected next month.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/11/25/3076235.htm?section=justin

 

[poledriver]

Senior police officer charged with drug offences

A senior WA police officer has been charged with drug offences.

The 46 year-old Sergeant is accused of using a police computer to access information about an alleged drug dealer from Safety Bay.

It is alleged he drove to the man's house on Wednesday last week where he smoked methylyamphetamine and took possession of approximately one gram of the drug.

The police Internal Affairs Unit caught him leaving the address.

He has been charged with using a prohibited drug (methylamphetamine), possessing a prohibited drug (methylamphetamine), possessing a smoking implement and driving with an illicit drug in his blood.

He has also been charged with unlawfully accessing a police computer.

Before his arrest the Sergeant had been a general duties officer for more than 22 years.

He has been stood down from all duties and the Police Commissioner will be asked to consider his employment with the force.

Serious allegations

The Deputy Police Commissioner Chris Dawson says they are serious allegations.

"It clearly is a matter of great concern that you have a serving police officer facing charges of this type," he said.

"It brings into question matters that the Royal Commission back in 2004 recommended in terms of testing of drug and alcohol in the work place.

"This was a matter that came to the attention of internal investigators and the matter has been dealt with as quickly as we could.

"Clearly there is a comprehensive investigation into this officer's activities. We're clearly unhappy about it."

The Deputy Commissioner says the internal investigators have done very thorough job over a short period of time as soon as the matter came to their attention.

He would not comment on how or why the officer came to be investigated.

"I am not going to reveal the source of the information but when we received that information, we act upon it," he said.

"The officer who has been charged was targeted as part of a specific operation."

The Sergeant is due to appear in the Fremantle Magistrates Court on December the 10th.

Police also charged his alleged drug dealer with possession of a prohibited drug with

intent to sell or supply, possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition,

possession of cannabis and possession a smoking implement.

ABC.net.au

 

[poledriver]

Six charged over drugs, guns and cash seizure

Police have moved against a group of people they tracked for months as part of an operation targeting illicit drugs in South Australia.

Six people have been charged after raids at houses in the northern, eastern and western suburbs of Adelaide.

Detective Inspector John De Candia says drugs and guns were found in homes and caravans.

"Police have seized a quantity of methamphetamines, a couple of firearms, a silencer, some Tasers, some capsicum spray and close to $30,000 in cash," he said.

He said the drugs amounted to as many as 4,000 street deals valued at about $200,000.

A woman, 38, and a man, 42, from Norwood and a man, 50, from Virginia will face court.

A Virginia man, 44, a Wingfield man, 31, and a man, 32, from Burton have been granted bail to face court later.

ABC.net.au

 

[Divine Moments]

$3.5m worth of cannabis seized in raid

New South Wales Police have seized about $3.5 million worth of cannabis during a week-long raid on the mid-north coast.

More than 1,600 plants up to 1.5 metres high were seized at several locations including Taree, Barrington Tops and Gloucester.

The police air-wing and dog squad were involved in the raids which began on Monday and ended today.

All plants seized have been destroyed and investigations are continuing.

Drug Squad Commander Nick Bingham said NSW Police would run similar raids over the next few months in an ongoing effort to target cannabis cultivation.

"You won't know where or when we'll strike, but we've got your crops in our sights," he said.

"Our aim is to detect and destroy cannabis crops across the state."

The NSW Police Cannabis Eradication Program has been running since the mid-1980s

 

[poledriver]

Police seize drugs and assault rifle

Police have seized drugs worth $600,000 allegedly from the car of the president of the Kalgoorlie Gypsy Joker bikies.

Detectives found 1.3 kilograms of methylamphetamine yesterday after searching a car two men were in on the Great Southern Highway.

Police also seized an assault rifle with ammunition at a house in Gosnells.

The men, aged 43 and 22, have been charged with possessing a prohibited drug and intent to sell.

Inspector Paul McMurtrie says the seizure will have a huge impact on the availablilty of drugs in Kalgoorlie.

"It's well documented the side effects of methamphetamine, aggression, assaults, domestic violence, it's all linked to this drug, so to take that off the street is very significant," he said.

ABC.net.au

 

[poledriver]

Man charged over heroin find

Police have seized around $12,000 worth of heroin from an apartment in Sydney's east.

Officers found heroin packed in balloons and in bowls in the Darlinghurst unit.

They also found cash.

A 31-year-old has been charged with supplying and possessing a prohibited drug.

ABC.net.au

 

[p i l l s]

Drug lab hidden inside a caravan Adelaide

POLICE have cracked an alleged drug network capable of producing 20,000 ecstasy tablets an hour.
In a series of raids, detectives from the Drug Investigation Branch discovered glassware and chemicals inside a caravan hidden on a secluded rural property.

They searched the Mount Mary hideaway after finding two pill presses in the rear shed of a Paralowie house.

Detective Inspector John De Candia said the properties were searched on Friday, and a 48-year-old Paralowie man arrested.

"Normally you associate caravans with some good times and eskies and barbecues and deck chairs, but on this occasion what we've found inside is a quantity of glassware and other chemicals which are associated with the manufacture of controlled drugs," he said.

"(The) pill presses have the capacity to produce, one of them about five thousand tablets an hour and the other one, which has nine dyes, possibly up to 15,000 tablets per hour.

"That's a fair amount of street deals and drugs which could be produced that we've now got and we've taken off the streets.

"These are the tools of the trade that these people use to cause harm and destruction to others and it's quite pleasing that we've been able to get them off the streets, process them and get them destroyed."

Det Insp De Candia said it was likely the drugs were being trafficked interstate and that more arrests were expected.

"These people might be working for other people and this may just be one arm of their criminal organisation," he said.

"But if we've been able to destroy one arm of their criminal organisation, that's a good result for us and we'll try to find the other arms and cut those arms off as well."

Police also found 600 tablets and about three kilograms of a white powder, believed to be ecstasy.

The Paralowie man will face court next month charged with manufacturing a controlled drug and trafficking in a controlled drug.

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/...found-in-caravan/story-e6frea83-1225963193216

 

[poledriver]

Stolen goods and drugs seized in Coffs raids

Police in Coffs Harbour have seized stolen items and drugs after raids of two local properties.

The Coffs Clarence crime manager, Cameron Lindsay, says police also found a large amount of cannabis, 150 ecstasy tablets and the drug LSD.

The stolen items include antique jewellery, surf boards, precious stones, electronics and a collection of war medals.

Inspector Lindsay says police acted on the public's information.

"We really rely on people calling police with information, and we act on it," he said.

"And it's led to some significant arrests and to some significant recovery of this property."

Inspector Lindsay says a 27-year-old man and a 22-year-old woman, both from Coffs Harbour, are in custody and assisting police with their enquiries.

He says charges could be laid today.

"There's a lot of offences here, ranging from aggravated break and enters, receiving stolen property, and also drug related matters," he said.

Inspector Lindsay is urging anyone missing any of those items to contact police.

"We'd like to hear from any one that may have had these items stolen," he said.

"We've got a large amount of jewellery, some antique jewellery; you'd suspect that some of these items would have great sentimental value to people.

"It is very important when people lose an item, if its stolen, that they give the full description to the police at the time, in the event that this happens."

abc.net.au

 

[poledriver]

Peppered pot no match for drug-sniffing pooch

Police were checking the bus from Adelaide when sniffer dogs found an estimated $150,000 worth of drugs in a 24-year-old man's swag.

They say more than 2.5 kilograms of cannabis and 45 ecstasy tablets were found.

Duty Superintendent Bob Rennie says the man was not supposed to be on the bus.

"This chap was driving up in his own car from Adelaide, broke down near Coober Pedy, left his car there and jumped on the bus to come to Alice," he said.

"He was arrested and charged with related offences of possess supply commercial quantity of cannabis and a trafficable quantity of MDMA."


abc.net.au
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A bus passenger allegedly caught with $130,000 worth of cannabis had tried to mask the drug with pepper, Northern Territory Police say.

They allege the 22-year-old was caught with marijuana and ecstasy after arriving in Alice Springs on a bus from Adelaide.

The man is charged with possessing and supplying commercial quantities of both drugs.

He is set to appear in the Alice Springs Magistrates Court today.

Detective Acting Superintendent Lauren Hill says the drugs were found by a police dog.

"People try to conceal drugs in many forms and in many ways," she said.

"The drug dogs pick up the scent quite easily.

"It is difficult for people to conceal the scent [of marijuana].

"It's too easy for the dog to pick it up."

abc.net.au

 

[poledriver]

Four charged over attempted cocaine import

Four men have faced court charged with conspiring to import more than half-a-tonne of cocaine into Australia.

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) arrested the men in Sydney yesterday.

It says they were trying to import 690 kilograms of the illicit drug in two quantities.

Two of the accused are in custody after facing Central Local Court yesterday.

They will be in court again later this month.

The other two men appeared in court via videolink this morning.

They did not apply for bail, however the judge said it would have been refused. They will be back in court next year.

The AFP has also charged another man with importing nearly two kilograms of

cocaine through the post, and another man with possession.

abc.net.au

 

[poledriver]

Cannabis 'foot soldier' avoids jail

A Geraldton man caught with more nearly half a kilogram of cannabis during a traffic stop has escaped a jail sentence.

Graeme Leslie Drage yesterday pleaded guilty in the Geraldton Magistrates Court to possessing 492 grams of cannabis with intent to sell or supply.

His lawyer, George Guidice, told the court his client was not actively involved in the sale of drugs in the Geraldton community but merely a foot soldier who was transporting the drugs from Perth to Geraldton.

The court was also told Drage was suffering an ongoing heart problem.

Magistrate Ed de Vries said he accepted Drage was not a well man but said it was a significant amount of drugs.

He placed Drage on a 18-month intensive supervision program and ordered he undergo drug counselling.

abc.net.au

 

[poledriver]

Court rejects Barbaro bail bid

The latest bid by Pasquale Barbaro to be released on bail has been rejected by the Victorian Supreme Court.

The alleged drug trafficker from Griffith in New South Wales has applied for bail four times.

Barbaro had offered to pay a record surety of $3.45 million if he was released.

He had also agreed to wear an electronic tracking bracelet.

Justice Paul Coghlan, however, said the 49-year-old posed an unacceptable risk of not answering bail or offending if released.

Barbaro was arrested in 2008 after allegedly attempting to import more than 4.5 tonnes of ecstasy and a quantity of cocaine.

He has also been charged with laundering more than $7 million.

abc.net.au

 

[poledriver]

Teen 'tried to sell laxatives as ecstasy'

A teenager has been charged after he tried to sell what are believed to be laxatives at a Sydney dance party by passing them off as ecstasy tablets.

Police say they arrested the 17-year-old boy at the Base Control dance party at Homebush, when they noticed him trying to sell brown tablets to partygoers.

They say the Glenmore park teenager had 94 of the tablets and an amount of cash on him when he was arrested.

The teenager has been charged with supplying a prohibited drug and goods in custody.

The tablets will be analysed to see what they are.

The boy will appear in Parramatta Children's Court next month.

abc.net.au

 

[poledriver]

Drug busts: Four in court

A probe into the large scale supply of meth-amphetamine in New South Wales has led to arrests on the mid north coast.

Yesterday four men, two aged 24, one aged 38 and one aged 41 were arrested after police raids in Port Macquarie and Sydney.

All have been charged with large commercial supply of prohibited drugs and will face court today.

Police say in a single raid in Port Macquarie they found almost half a kilogram of meth.

Since Operation Memory was formed in February officers have seized almost a kilo of meth-amphetamine and 14,000 ecstasy pills.

Last month, police arrested three men, seized a pill press and $500,000 worth of ecstasy during raids at Langley Vale and Lake Cathie.

Detective Inspector Steve Clarke from Mid North Coast Local Area Command applauded his team for the latest results.

"Arrests and seizures like this don't come about by chance.

"They are the direct result of diligent and enterprising investigative work.

"My team of officers deserve to be proud of their work," he said.

Source article

 

[cosdog]

Big 'names' caught in huge New South Wales drug bust

SOURCE

POLICE say they have arrested some of the nation's biggest drug barons and dismantled six major linked syndicates, smashing narcotics networks across New South Wales.

"Today we haven't taken a tentacle off the beast, we've removed a very, very big beast," NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione said in Sydney today.

"We further allege that among those that are in custody right now are a number of major players in the Australian drugs trade, names that you will instantly recognise."

Detectives launched what is claimed to be one of the state's biggest drugs busts at first light today, with 500 cops raiding 37 premises across Sydney, on the Central Coast and in Mudgee.

They arrested 28 men and one woman in NSW and two people in Western Australia.

Police seized 16.7kg of drugs believe to be cocaine, 5848 tabs of LSD, 30 cannabis plants, 29kg of precursor chemicals, four firearms and 600 rounds of ammunition.


RELATED COVERAGE
Huge bust snares alleged kingpins
Herald Sun, 2 hours ago
Drug suspects arrested outside Hungry Jacks
Adelaide Now, 15 Jul 2010
230kg of marijuana found in heiress' bags
Perth Now, 17 Jun 2010
15,000 ecstasy pills seized in drug bust
The Australian, 11 Jun 2010
Boy, 14, arrested in drug raid
The Australian, 9 Jun 2010

The drugs have an estimated street value of $9 million.

Assets worth $14 million, including aircraft, luxury cars and mansions are being examined and may also be seized.



But it is the taking down of the alleged drugs barons themselves that police say is the most significant outcome.

"We'll be alleging ... this is the top of the tree," Assistant Commissioner Dave Hudson said.

There were measures in place to try and ensure those arrested were not simply replaced by other drug dealers, he said.

Mr Scipione said alleged criminals he started hunting 30 years ago were among those arrested.

"A number of the people who were arrested today were people I started working on 30 years ago when I started working in the police force," he said.

"These people have been around a long time.

"These people are before the courts today, they will be well known to many of you."

The operation which led to the arrests, Strike Force Domino, began a year ago.

It was so extensive it required NSW Police Minister Michael Daley to authorise a one-off $1.7 million grant to fund it.

A 60-year-old Croydon Park man is alleged to be the most senior of the drug barons arrested today.

Police issued a list of those arrested, ranging from the most senior to the most junior players.

A 34-year-old Kogarah man and a 56-year-old Campsie man were alleged to be the next most senior on the list.

Others arrested were from Cronulla, Dolans Bay, Greenacre, Sylvania, Sans Souci, Bexley, Rockdale, Matraville, Eastlakes, Newtown, Darlinghurst, Bond junction, Denham Court, Stanmore and Earlwood.

They were also from Concord, Manly, McMasters Beach, Sawtell, Gosford, Brighton Le Sands and Casula.
Two more people were arrested in Western Australia by local police.

Those arrested ranged in age from 66 to 24.

They were allegedly involved in the operation of six linked drug syndicates, manufacturing, importing and selling drugs.

"We're talking about distribution networks that work in your neighbourhoods and in your streets," Detective Superintendent Mick Plotecki said.

Det Supt Plotecki said some of those arrested reacted in surprising ways when police arrived today.

"Some of them ... reacted probably in ways we hadn't anticipated considering their reputations," he added.

Police said the operation remains ongoing.

that's a few tabs.. hmm!

 

[poledriver]

Statewide drug bust nets Sawtell man

A Sawtell man has been arrested as part of a statewide operation targeting the commercial supply of ecstasy.

Strike Force Domino involved up to five hundred police including officers from the Coffs-Clarence Command and the state's Organised Crime Targeting Squad.

The crack-down is one of the largest drug operations ever conducted in New South Wales.

On the mid north coast a multi-million dollar home at Sawtell has a seizure order on it, as do two cars including a Porsche, motorbikes and a boat.

Police say they also found a large amount of cash and ecstasy.

The 57-year-old Sawtell man was arrested in Sydney.

There were 37 raids in other parts of the state at first light today and so far 29 people have been arrested.

Source

 

[poledriver]

Port Stephens police have revealed details of major drug operation, which has culminated in 23 arrests and a million dollars worth of drugs, cash and assets seized.

Officers formed Operation Seamist in March this year, hoping to crack an illegal drug network operating in the Port Stephens area.

This week they arrested nine people during raids at Raymond Terrace, Tomago, Boat Harbour, Tanilba Bay, Newcastle and Singleton.

More than half a million dollars worth of drugs have been seized, as well as $100,000 in cash, a high performance speed boat, quad bikes, and seven cars.

Police allege the items were purchased with drug money.

During the entire operation 23 people have been charged most relating to the supply of heroin and methamphetamine.

Meanwhile, Newcastle police have charged a Barnsley man with supplying heroin and dealing with the proceeds of crime, after they stopped his car at Hamilton yesterday and searched his home.

Police allegedly seized a large quantity of heroin and more than $300,000 in cash at the house.

The 57-year-old man will appear in Newcastle local court today.

Article

 

[poledriver]

Drug dealer behind bars

A Hobart drug dealer who rented a second home to grow cannabis has been sent to jail.

Edward Michael Stevens was sentenced to three years prison, after pleading guilty to one count of trafficking in a controlled substance between January 2008 and March this year.

The Supreme Court in Hobart heard the 43 year old lived in North Hobart but rented a second property at Kingston specifically for growing cannabis.

A police raid of the house uncovered 375 plants, as a well a garage with an internal wall that masked a large hydroponic growing area.

Stevens had tampered with the power metre in the garage, avoiding a $12,000 power bill.

Justice Peter Evans said the street value of the drug was about $400,000.

The father of two will be eligible for parole after serving half his sentence.

Article

 

[poledriver]

Major drug bust in Tamworth

Police from Oxley Local Area Command have arrested 16 people, and laid more than 50 charges, during a major operation targeting the supply of prohibited drugs.

Officers from Strike Force Milson have so far seized drugs with an estimated street value of $30,800, including $20,000 worth of Ice and 300 MDMA tablets worth $9,000, along with $9,500 in cash.

A Commodore vehicle allegedly used in the commission of the offences has also been seized, and freezing notices issued preventing the disposal of two others.

Police will allege two members of the Tamworth chapter of the Rebels Outlaw Motorcycle Gang are among those arrested.

Two people will appear in Tamworth Local Court today in relation to the charges, which include drug supply and dealing with the proceeds of crime.

The remainder will appear at a later time.

The sixteen suspects are from Tamworth, Quirindi, Walcha and Lake Macquarie.

Police say investigations are continuing and further arrests are likely.

From here