The Australian/NZ Drug Busts Mega-Thread Part Deux

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Tanzanian man charged for importing drugs internally

Friday, 28 August 2009

This is a joint media release between the AFP and Customs.

A 45-year-old Tanzanian man will face Sydney Central Local Court today charged with importing drugs into Australia concealed inside his body.

Customs and Border Protection officers stopped the man for questioning when he arrived at Sydney International Airport on a flight from Dubai on Wednesday, August 26.

During a baggage examination officers became suspicious that the man may have been concealing drugs internally.

The Australian Federal Police attended and the man was taken to a hospital for a medical examination.

It will be alleged in court that the man was concealing approximately 132 pellets, containing 924 grams of cocaine internally.

The man was charged with importing a marketable quantity of a border controlled drug contrary to section 307.2(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995.

The maximum penalty for this offence is 25 years imprisonment and/or a $550,000 fine.

AFP

 

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Man nabbed with $42,000 in alleged drug money

Joseph Sapienza

August 28, 2009 - 10:32AM

A man who was allegedly found with $12,000 in suspected drug money on the Mitchell Freeway this week was put under surveillance and nabbed a little more than an hour later with another $30,000, police claim.

About 7.15pm on Monday, officers from the Regional Operations Group spotted a BMW Coupe driving erratically between the lanes heading north on the freeway.

The car was stopped near the Warwick Road off-ramp and after police conducted initial checks, they discovered the man was known to them.

Officers then searched the car, where they allegedly found $12,000 in cash in a bag in the car's boot.

Police spokesman Graham Clifford told Radio 6PR the 27-year-old Leeming man was spoken to at the scene and charged with possessing stolen or unlawfully obtained property.

The man was free to go and he left with only $10 in his wallet.

He was put under surveillance and the same car later made a number of stops at addresses in surrounding suburbs.

About an hour and 15 minutes later, the BMW was stopped in Westminster, and again, police conducted a search of the car.

This time, they claim $10,000 in mixed $50 and $100 notes was found in his wallet, while a little under $20,000 in cash was also found stashed in clothing.

Sergeant Clifford said detectives went about investigating where the 27-year-old had been, and in the following days, they visited a house in Marangaroo and executed a drugs search warrant.

Cash and drugs - including cannabis, methamphetamine and MDMA - were allegedly found at the house, and a 26-year-old man was charged with drug-related offences.

Police suspect the money that was confiscated in these operations was drug-related.

The two men are due to face Joondalup Magistrates Court today.

This follows an unrelated incident at a house in Hislop Road in Attadale in April, where amphetamines were allegedly found as well as $150,000 in cash in the ceiling.

Sergeant Clifford said $34 million in crime proceeds had been seized or frozen by police since January this year.

Wa Today

 

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Sale police raids end in drugs, burglary charges

Posted Fri Aug 28, 2009 2:03pm AEST

Fifteen people have been charged over drug trafficking and burglary offences, after police raids in the Sale area.

Four people have been charged with drug trafficking and police say amphetamines, ecstasy and cannabis was seized.

Four people have been charged with burglary and seven have been charged with handling stolen goods.

Three firearms, $10,000 worth of stolen goods and $4,000 in cash was seized from properties at Sale and Wurruk.

The raids finished on Wednesday.

All 15 people have been released on bail to appear before the Sale Magistrates Court at later dates.

ABC News

 

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Court told pseudoephedrine 'for cold'

Posted Fri Aug 28, 2009 1:30pm AEST
Updated Fri Aug 28, 2009 1:29pm AEST

A Geraldton man who has pleaded guilty to possessing substances used in the manufacture of illicit drugs, has argued he intended to use them for lawful purposes.

The court heard, in May, detectives found 19 grams of phosphorous and 108 cold and flu tablets stored in plastic bags in the freezer of Ty Suckling, 32.

The two substances are common ingredients in the manufacture of methamphetamine.

Suckling was due to be sentenced yesterday after pleading guilty to unlawfully possessing a category one or two item and possessing a substance exceeding the prescribed limit.

His lawyer argued Suckling was planning to put the phosphorous down rabbit burrows and that he had stockpiled pseudoephedrine because of a cold.

The trial will resume next week.

ABC News

 

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Five charged over ecstasy find

Posted Fri Aug 28, 2009 8:33am AEST

Four men and a woman have been charged with drugs offences by police at Whyalla after a four-month investigation.

Detectives stopped a car at about 1:00am and allegedly seized almost 1,000 ecstasy tablets, cash and the vehicle.

Police allege the arrests are related to others at Port Augusta in July.

ABC News

 

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Drugs seized – Nhulunbuy

Friday 28-Aug-2009 (0956 hrs CST)

Police have arrested a 21-year-old female in relation to drug offences in Nhulunbuy.

After receiving information members attended the Gove Airport yesterday and conducted a search on a 21-year-old female arriving on a flight from Cairns. Located in the search was 118 grams of cannabis on her person, 200 LSD tabs (1.5 grams) in her baggage and a sum of money.

Police believe the approximate street value of the drugs seized would reach $18 000.

Further searches were conducted on a residence in Nhulunbuy, locating 2.8 grams of cannabis seeds, smoking implements and a carton of fireworks.

The female offender was charged with:

Possess cannabis – trafficable quantity
Possess a dangerous drug
Possess lysergic acid (LSD) – commercial quantity
Possess thing to administer dangerous drug

She was bailed to appear in the Nhulunbuy Court on 01 September.

A 22-year-old male has been summonsed in relation to the possession of fireworks.

NTFPES

Related

 

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Supplying drugs arrest, Sunshine Coast

A 23-year-old Coolum man has been charged with supplying a dangerous drug after three people were taken to Nambour Hospital last night.

Around 9.40pm two men and one woman were taken from a licensed premise at Alexandra Headlands to hospital as they were believed to be suffering adverse effects from an illicit drug.

The man is due to appear in Maroochydore Magistrates Court today. The three people have been released from hospital.

QLD Police

Related

 

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Police arrest five people during drug operation – Tamworth

Friday, 28 Aug 2009 02:13pm

Police have arrested five suspected dealers during raids on alleged drug houses at Tamworth, in the state’s north.

Around 6.30am today, detectives from Strike Force Pindrie raided a home in Hamilton Court, arresting a 35-year-old man and a 36-year-old woman.

They were taken to the Tamworth Police Station.

The woman was charged with supply prohibited drug on an ongoing basis, supply indictable quantity methylamphetamine (speed), knowingly take part supply indictable quantity methylamphetamine, supply MDMA (ecstasy), knowingly deal with proceeds of crime, participate in a criminal group, allow use of premises as drug premises and conduct drug premises.

The man was charged with knowingly take part in supply indictable quantity of methylamphetamine, knowingly take part in supply MDMA, participate in criminal group, allow use of premises as drug premises and conduct drug premises.

Whilst at the address, officers confiscated a 2003 Kia Carnival motor vehicle under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

An hour later, strike force detectives went to a home in Ridge Street, where a 36-year-old woman was taken into custody.

She was charged with four counts of supply methylamphetamine, supply drug on an ongoing basis, supply indictable quantity methylamphetamine, supply cannabis, participate in criminal group, conduct drug premises, allow use of premises as drug premises and knowingly deal with proceeds of crime.

Police also stopped a motor vehicle in Tamworth and arrested a 34-year-old man.

He was charged with two counts of supply indictable quantity methylamphetamine, supply prohibited drug on an ongoing basis, supply cannabis, supply MDMA, supply LSD, knowingly deal with proceeds of crime and participate in a criminal group.

A 19-year-old man was arrested when he attended the Tamworth Police Station.

He was charged with two counts of knowingly take part in supply indictable quantity methylamphetamine, two counts of supply indictable quantity methylamphetamine, organise drug premises, allow premises to be used as drug premises, participate in criminal group and knowingly deal with proceeds of crime.

All were refused bail and ordered to appear in Tamworth Local Court today.

Strike Force Pindrie was established in April by Tamworth detectives to investigate the supply of illegal drugs within the Oxley Local Area Command.

Oxley Crime Manager, Inspector Philip O’Reilly, labelled today’s operation a major success.

“We will allege that a significant drug distribution ring has been smashed by Tamworth detectives,” Inspector O’Reilly said.

“Anyone who plies a trade in illegal drugs in this local area command can expect a similar response,” he said.

“We’re not going to tolerate illicit drugs being peddled on the streets of Tamworth.”

Anyone with information that could further assist the strike force is urged to contact Tamworth Police Station on (02) 6768 2999 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

NSW Police

 

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Operation Smuggler hits Ballarat

Friday, 28 August 2009 20:49

More than 50 police saturated the streets of Ballarat today as part of a large scale crackdown on motorists transporting illicit drugs and property.

Police members from across western Victoria, including Altona, Geelong and Ballarat as well as members from the Dog Squad and the Sheriff’s Department took part in Operation Smuggler.

Police locked down major arterial roads in and around the Ballarat area, randomly patrolling and searching vehicles for stolen property and drugs.

Police checked 220 vehicles and 310 people and seized amphetamines, ecstasy and cannabis as part of the operation.

A substantial number of criminal and drug offences were detected, including an offender who was arrested for trafficking a drug of dependence. 72 motorists were arrested for traffic offences.

Members of the Sheriff’s Department arrested approximately 35 offenders, clamped the wheels of five vehicles and executed in excess of 200 sheriff’s warrants for unpaid fines or community work. They also suspended licences on approximately seven drivers for outstanding fines.

Police arrested seven people for a number of offences, including:
Traffic drug of dependence
Possess/Use drug of dependence (amphetamine, ecstasy and cannabis)
Burglary
Recklessly cause injury/assault related offences
Outstanding warrants of arrest

Region 2 Crime Management Superintendent Daryl Clifton said the operation sent a stern warning to those thinking of transporting contraband in the area.

“Police are more serious than ever about combating drug and crime offences and we are warning those that such illegal behaviour would not be tolerated,” he said.

“This operation will be the first of a series that will take place across western Victoria in the near future.”

Today’s operation was based on a pilot program, Operation CATCH, which is currently being run out of Melbourne’s east.

Operation CATCH (crime and traffic connecting highways), a concept inspired by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police’s Operation Pipeline, allows trained operational members to identify suspicious vehicles and drivers.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police’s program has been responsible for the seizure of about $4 billion worth of contraband over the last 15 years.

Vic Police

 

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Three arrested over ecstasy haul in Whyalla


MICHAEL MILNES, POLICE REPORTER

August 28, 2009 12:47pm

NEARLY 1000 ecstasy tablets were seized by police during raids in Whyalla.

Detectives swooped on a car with three men in it near Point Lowly about 1am today.

They allegedly found a large amount of illegal drugs and cash in the car.

Three houses were then raided with more drugs and cash allegedly found.

In total 972 ecstasy tablets were found, five people were arrested and a car seized under Criminal Assets Confiscation legislation.

Three Whyalla men aged , 18, 19, 22, a woman, 25 and a Stirling North man, 19, were charged with possessing a controlled drug for sale, unlawful possession and taking part in the sale of a controlled drug.

They were all remanded in custody. Police said the arrests were linked to a drug raid in Port Augusta in July.

http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,27574,25993457-2682,00.html

 

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Grandad 'sold smack, weed, coke, speed'

WHEN this diminutive western Sydney grandfather invited you for tea or coffee, it packed more than a caffeine hit, police claim.

For 79-year-old Joseph Mannah (left), those beverages were two of the code words that he allegedly used to discuss the array of illegal drugs he sold to fund his retirement.

The retiree, who would not look out of place at a bowling club, is the state's oldest accused drug dealer.

Mannah faced Parramatta Local Court last week accused of selling "tea'' (heroin), "coffee'' (cannabis), "salt'' (cocaine), "flour'' (amphetamines) and "Colombian bloke'' (cocaine) from the Bossley Park home he shares with one of his two sons.

The quaint code words allegedly used over the phone did not fool police, who arrested Mannah at the South Western Regional Parklands on August 21.

Court documents allege he was conducting an alleged heroin deal with a "known customer'', Karl Boyling, 31.

The drop-off points for other alleged deals included parks, homes and random locations across Greenacre, Padstow and Fairfield, in Sydney's west.

The pensioner, who suffers high blood pressure, was the subject of a three-month investigation in which police used phone taps and decoded his conversations with suppliers, customers and family members.

Police allege that two bags of white powder were found in the footrest of Boyling's car, while Mannah allegedly had $855 in cash.

The retiree was charged with supplying prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis, dealing with the proceeds of crime and two counts of supplying a prohibited drug.

A NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research spokeswoman said the only other senior citizens to have police proceedings brought against them for drug offences were a 76-year-old in 2001 and two 67-year-olds in 2007.

When The Sunday Telegraph spoke to Mannah last Wednesday, he said that he was innocent and intended to fight the charges.

"Look at me, I'm (almost) 80-years-old,'' he said.

"I'm not capable of running a drug business.''

Details of police phone taps, released to the court, revealed the extent of Mannah's alleged dealings.

On June 27, he took a call from Neville Malouf - "a known drug-supplier'' - who asked to "meet a Colombian bloke'', police claim.

Another man with drug convictions, Shawn Bell, also called him on July 6 and "asked him `for coffee'''.

Court documents also said that members of Mannah's family threatened to expose his alleged dealings, during intercepted phone arguments.

On July 30, son Joseph Mannah Jr threatened to tell police about his father's "drug activities'' and that they ``could take his house, as it had been paid for in drug money''.

Mr Mannah Jr was also recorded saying his father ``doesn't understand that someone can lose money because he has only ever dealt drugs and you don't lose money that way''.

"You've got a captive audience, with your junkies that keep calling,'' he said.

He later threatened to burn down his father's house. In court last week, police prosecutors asked for Mannah to post $50,000 bail, which was later reduced to $20,000 and paid by his sister. He will return to court in October.

Daily Telegraph

 

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Clandestine drug laboratory located, Deception Bay

Last updated 30/08/2009

Officers from the Moreton Bay Region Tactical Crime Squad arrested a man and woman early this morning after police allegedly located the pair at a clandestine drug laboratory in Deception Bay.

Around 1.30 police searched industrial premises in Lipscombe Road and allegedly located the pair in a shipping container that was allegedly being used as an illicit drug lab for the production of methylamphetamines.

The 37-year-old woman and 38-year-old man, both from Beachmere, were each charged with produce a dangerous drug and possess relevant thing.

They are due to appear in the Redcliffe Magistrates Court tomorrow.

QLD Police

 

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Cop raids reap drugs

September 1st, 2009

FOUR men and a woman will face court on drugs charges following three separate raids by police on Top End homes at the weekend.

Cannabis, home-made hash cookies, ecstasy and amphetamine were among the items seized when police searched three houses at Bees Creek, Humpty Doo and Karama.

Police said the drug busts were not connected.

A 59-year-old woman and four men, aged 19, 20, 23 and 25, were charged.

They will face Darwin Magistrates Court at a later date.

NT News

 

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Drugs destined for communities seized – Alice Springs

Tuesday 01-Sep-2009 (0900 hrs CST)

$8000 worth of cannabis was seized in a joint operation between the Alice Springs Substance Abuse Intelligence Desk and Western Australia Police.

Part of a Tristate initiative, Operation Midrealm targeted substance abuse traffickers heading to Wingellina where a concert was being held.

SAID and WA Police members tipped out eight litres of alcohol and seized 20 litres of petrol and one firearm.

Alice Springs Police Dog Operation Unit detected 174 deal bags of cannabis with an estimated value of $8000 in the engine bay of one vehicle.

During another special operation held on Friday night 195 litres of alcohol destined for remote communities was tipped out by Alice Springs Police.

The joint operation involving the Substance Abuse Intelligence Desk, Drug Intelligence Unit, Dog Operation Unit and Southern Traffic Operations set up Random Breath Testing stations at two inspection points on the North Stuart Highway.

238 people were breath tested with six people returning positive blood alcohol results including two women aged 16 and 21, (0.066 and 0.088 per cent BAC) who were Learner drivers.

A 51-year-old man returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.136 per cent and a 20-year-old man returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.128 per cent.

Drug Intelligence Unit members issued four drug infringement notices and seized a total of 17grams of cannabis.

Superintendent Lance Godwin said police would continue to target people trafficking drugs and alcohol to remote communities.

“These operations are essential in disrupting the supply of alcohol and cannabis into remote communities.

“This on the back of recent joint operations in Western Australian shows the desire of drug offenders to target communities which they believe are beyond the reach of police.”

NTPFES

 

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Police raid hydroponic "houses"

Tuesday, 01 September 2009

A 41-year-old Kambah man and a 39-year-old Macgregor man will be summonsed to appear in the ACT Magistrates Court charged with cannabis cultivation and trafficking offences after police executed consecutive Drugs of Dependence Act search warrants on two separate residences in Kambah and Macgregor on Saturday (August 29).

During the searches, Territory Investigations Group detectives located a number of suspected cannabis plants and an amount of suspected cannabis packaged in clip seal bags along with electrical equipment equipped for growing hydroponic cannabis at the residences.

The estimated street value of the drugs haul is around $33,000.

AFP

 

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Drug raids seize almost 1500 marijuana plants

Tuesday, 01 September 2009 13:03

Police seized almost 1500 marijuana plants in a series of raids across the western suburbs yesterday.

Members from the Sunshine Crime Investigation Unit executed a search warrant on a factory in Sunshine North about 1.45pm and located 129 cannabis plants.

Subsequent drug warrants on two more factories in Sunshine North and a residential property in Kings Park uncovered an additional 1282 cannabis plants and about $55,000 cash.

A 50-year-old Sunshine woman, a 47-year-old St Albans woman and a 57-year-old Cabramatta man have been charged with various offences, including traffick cannabis, cultivate narcotic plant, possess cannabis, theft and possess property being proceeds of crime.

They are expected to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court today.

“The community deserves a complete and thorough investigation to rid communities of such illegal activities,” Sunshine Crime Investigation Unit Senior Sergeant Fred Grove said.

Vic Police

 

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50 arrested in Carnarvon drugs crackdown

Posted 10 hours 32 minutes ago

Carnarvon police say the arrest of more than 50 people in a major drug operation has reached only the tip of the iceberg.

Operation Zodiac has netted tens of thousands of dollars in cannabis and amphetamines, as well as weapons including swords, ammunition and a semi-automatic pistol, in the past two months.

Police say most of the criminal activity has occurred in residential areas.

Detective Senior Constable Shane Russell says police are stepping up the investigations.

"We're running a multi-phase operation, so this initial phase of the operation is now complete," he said.

"We do expect more arrests to happen and we encourage members of the Carnarvon population to assist us with our enquires and keep the information coming."

ABC News

 

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Police raids net cash, drugs



Anne Wright

September 01, 2009 12:00am

POLICE seized more than $68,000 in cash, a loaded handgun and steroids and amphetamines in a series of searches in Melbourne's south-east.
As part of a planned operation, officers from the Moorabbin Regional Response Unit stopped a car travelling along Station St in Carrum about 2.30pm.

In that search the officers found $68,000 in cash and arrested the two occupants of the car, a 28-year-old male and a 25-year-old female who are believed to have lived together.

After searching the pair's Patterson Lakes house, police uncovered a large amount of steroids.

A second car was stopped by police about 15 minutes later, and the male occupants, a 19-year-old and a 23-year-old both from Dandenong addresses, both were found to be carrying a large amount of steroid tablets.

After those searches, four other search warrants were carried out on two Dandenong residences, an Aspendale house and a Mentone panel beating business.

Police seized items from the Mentone panel beating business, where they found a loaded handgun, pen pistol, stun gun and amphetamines.

A 38-year-old man was arrested in relation to those discoveries.

Senior Sergeant Mark Zervaas from Moorabbin Regional Response Unit said the four people charged were part of a wider operation in the south-east area and yesterday's searches would have disrupted their organization.

``The arrests and seizures we hope have interrupted the flow of amphetamines and steroids to Melbourne's south east which is only a good thing as these drugs cause significant harm to the youth,'' he said.

``It's also important to get such weapons as we located, particularly a loaded firearm which is ready for use, out of the wrong hands.''

The Patterson Lakes man was charged with possessing a drug of dependence and proceeds of crime (indictable), while the female was released pending further inquiries.

The Dandenong men were charged with possessing a drug of dependence and the Aspendale man was charged with trafficking a drug of dependence and two counts of possessing a firearm and possessing a prohibited weapon.

All four have been bailed by police to appear at the Moorabbin Magistrates Court on 10 November 2009.

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,27574,26015829-2862,00.html

 

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Police seize 225 cannabis plants in alleged 'hydro house' - West Pennant Hills
Wednesday, 02 Sep 2009 02:51pm

***Editors note: Footage of the operation will be distributed through Ten News. Stills can be obtained by contacting the NSW Police Media Unit on (02) 8263 6100***

Police have seized 225 cannabis plants during a raid this morning on a drug house at West Pennant Hills in Sydney.

Just after 8.30am, officers from The Hills Local Area Command executed a search warrant on the two-storey, weatherboard home in Oakes Road.

When they entered the house, they allegedly discovered cannabis plants in several rooms.

Police allege the house was dedicated to the enhanced, indoor cultivation of cannabis, with officers locating a number of hidden cavities.

The plants were being maintained using sophisticated watering and high-powered lighting systems.

The plants have an estimated, potential street value of $450,000.

The scene was secured while power company technicians disconnected an illegal and potentially dangerous link to the mains supply.

Forensic Services Group experts examined the property and investigations are continuing.

It is the second so-called “Hydro house” raided by The Hills Police in recent weeks.

Pro-Active Crime Team officers located another alleged drug house in Parkland Road, Carlingford, on Thursday, 30 July.

Police seized 205 cannabis plants, with an estimated, potential street value of $420,000.

Anyone with information about drug activity within The Hills Local Area Command is urged to ring the Castle Hill Police Station on (02) 9680 5399 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/news/l...nb3YuYXUlMkZtZWRpYSUyRjc3MTIuaHRtbCZhbGw9MQ==

 

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Man to face court on 16 drug, firearm offences — New England
Thursday, 03 Sep 2009 05:27am

A man will appear before court today charged with 16 drug and firearm related offences following a raid in the State’s New England region.

The charges relate to a search warrant executed on a Wallangra property on Friday last week (28 August).

Police searched two farm houses on the property and seized 94 cannabis plants and one-and-a-half kilograms of cannabis leaf.

An additional 26 cannabis cuttings were also located with these plants.

The plants and leaf are worth an estimated potential street value of more than $240,000.

A further search by police revealed a large amount of ammunition, together with a .303 rifle, a shotgun and a .22 pistol.

The sole occupant of the property, a 45-year-old Wallangra man, was arrested at the scene last Friday and was questioned at Inverell Police Station.

He appeared in Inverell Bail Court on Saturday (29 August) charged with 16 offences, including knowingly take part in the cultivation of a commercial quantity of a drug and possess unauthorised firearm.

He was remanded in custody and will reappear before Inverell Local Court today.

http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/news/l...nb3YuYXUlMkZtZWRpYSUyRjc3MTcuaHRtbCZhbGw9MQ==