The Australian/NZ Drug Busts Mega-Thread Part Deux

[kingpin007]

Accused trafficker refused bail after cocaine haul

Monday, November 30, 2009

© The Cairns Post


AN accused drug trafficker has been refused bail days after police stopped his car and found a stash of cocaine, speed, LSD and marijuana inside.

Cairns man Andrew Alastair Merrick, 35, has been in custody since his arrest on Saturday.

Magistrate Janelle Brassington today ruled he would stay behind bars until at least February given the seriousness of the alleged offences.

Mr Merrick faces charges of trafficking dangerous drugs, possessing dangerous drugs and possessing anything used in the commission of a crime.

Police allegedly found 52.5g of cocaine and 40g of MDMA - the powder form of ecstasy - in the car when it was stopped alongside the Bruce Highway at Tully about 1.20am on Saturday.

Magistrate Janelle Brassington said the Crown case was a strong one and the initial alleged drug amounts were substantial even making allowances for the weight of packaging and the percentage of the mix.

Mr Merrick was remanded in custody to reappear in court on February 8.

The second man police arrested over the incident, Nat Johnson, has been charged with possessing a dangerous drug and possessing a knife in the public place and will also have his matters mentioned on February 8.

He has not been placed in custody.

http://www.cairns.com.au/article/2009/11/30/79215_local-news.html

 

[kingpin007]

Drug pram mum

Kristy Martin | 30th November 2009


POLICE are urging people to be on the lookout for a woman who may be trying to sell drugs from a baby’s pram in Hervey Bay.

A person who was walking along Elizabeth Street at Urangan on Thursday night contacted police after she was stopped by a woman with a pram and asked if she wanted to buy drugs about 7.55pm.

When she looked inside the pram, there was no baby and instead the pram was filled with “needles and drugs”, police said.

Officers patrolled the area but could not find the woman.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Hervey Bay police or Crime Stoppers.

http://www.frasercoastchronicle.com.au/story/2009/11/30/drug-pram-mum/

 

[kingpin007]

Raids smash NSW gun and drug ring: police

December 1, 2009 - 3:30PM


Police say they have smashed a major illegal drugs and firearms distribution syndicate, after seven men were arrested and four properties raided on NSW's South Coast.

A specialist police unit was formed in August to investigate the supply of heroin, crystal methamphetamine (more commonly known as ice), other illegal drugs and firearms in the Illawarra area, police said.

About midday today, two men - aged 33 and 35 - were arrested by officers linked to the unit after a vehicle was stopped at Dapto, south of Wollongong.

During subsequent raids on four nearby properties - at Dapto, Cringila and Unanderra - five more men aged between 24 and 50 were arrested.

"We will allege the syndicate has been involved in the ongoing sale of prohibited drugs as well as prohibited and unlicensed firearms," Superintendent Mick Willing said in a statement.

The men are being questioned by police.

http://www.smh.com.au/national/raids-smash-nsw-gun-and-drug-ring-police-20091201-k37r.html

 

[kingpin007]

300kg cocaine trial evidence in 'disarray'

* Lisa Davies
* From: The Daily Telegraph
* December 01, 2009 3:33PM

THE country's biggest ever cocaine trial is "in disarray", with the highly-secretive NSW Crime Commission now scrambling to get back crucial material that they "mistakenly" served on the defence 10 months ago, a court has heard.

The documents, discussed in open court but not tendered by the Crown in its case against the accused, were given to lawyers for accused “golden gun” conspirator Luke Sparos on subpoena in February.

Central Local Court has heard that the material contains detailed call logs of their crucial "rollover" witness who is the main informant against Sparos, Alen Moradian and a number of other men charged with the importation of more than 300kg of cocaine.

The court has previously heard that the material is extremely damaging to the Crown case, and includes evidence about the witness’s dealings with the NSW Crime Commission assistant director Mark Standen, the original officer in charge of Operation Schoale.

Start of sidebar. Skip to end of sidebar.

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Standen is due to face a Supreme Court trial in February for his own alleged drug important offences.

Solicitor for the NSW Crime Commission Jarrod Whitbourn told Central Local Court this morning that the Crime Commission wanted the material back because they shouldn’t have them in the first place.

"The synopsis that we are talking about was jotted down ... (and then) typed up notes that are stored on the disk by the person who is listening to the call," he said.

"They don't purport to be a transcription, the purpose of the summaries is ... to determine if there's anything of interest to the investigation."

However, he also admitted that the Crime Commission had not realised the error until yesterday.

The stunning admission came as the case was adjourned until Thursday, with the DPP to appeal a decision by Magistrate Geoff Bradd to force the same key witness to give evidence in court, not on video link as the Crown requested.

Mr Bradd had sided with counsel for Sparos and Moradian yesterday - Philip Dunn QC and Winston Terracini SC respectively - who argued that it was imperative for him to give evidence in court as telephone intercepts showed his credit was seriously in issue.

Mr Bradd ruled that it was “not in the interests of justice” to have the witness, being such a vital one, give evidence from a remote location.

The telephone calls, the two silks said, showed evidence of the witness calling upon his own drug connections and discussing his evidence with numerous people.

Late today, Moradian’s solicitor Stephen Alexander was granted a short service subpoena by Magistrate Allan Moore, asking the Crime Commission to produce all telephone intercept material in their possession.

The total amount of the drug said to have been imported by the so-called "golden gun" syndicate is in excess 700kg, making it the largest ever syndicate of its type in Australia’s history.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/ne...ence-in-disarray/story-e6freuzi-1225805826247

 

[kingpin007]

Magistrates Court: Threat to kill over cannabis

01 Dec, 2009 10:44 PM

A SNAKE Valley man allegedly threatened his employer and demanded large sums of money for destroying his cannabis plants and dismantling a hydroponic system, a court was told yesterday.

Steven Clark, 28, was on parole when he allegedly made the threats and assaulted his employer, a Beaufort fruit and vegetable wholesaler, who discovered five cannabis plants and a hydroponic system in the store's oil room.

Ballarat Magistrates Court was told that the victim burnt the cannabis plants and dismantled the hydroponic system in March. He arranged for Clark's sister to collect it.

Maryborough Crime Investigation Unit Detective Senior Constable Noel Jacobs said Clark's sister told the victim that Clark was furious and believed he owed him $8100 for destroying the drugs.

He said Clark's sister went to the victim's store twice in April, and each time the victim wrote cheques for $4000.

Det Sen Const Jacobs said Clark, who was released from jail on parole in August, went to the store on October 19 and assaulted the victim, telling him he was going to kill him.

"The victim told him he could not give him any more money. Clark kept threatening him, saying he wanted $30,000 and they would be even," Det Sen Const Jacobs said.

The court was told Clark telephoned the victim in November, asking him when he would have $25,000, which he eventually borrowed from a bank and gave to him.

Police arrested and charged Clark last Saturday after he had arranged to meet the victim at the store, the court was told. He faces 15 charges, including recklessly causing injury, intentionally causing injury, unlawful assault,

making threats to kill, cultivating narcotic plant cannabis, possessing cannabis and making unwarranted demand with menaces.

Clark was jailed in February for 12 months, with a non-parole period of six months, for threatening to kill his girlfriend and assaulting her.

Det Sen Const Jacobs said police opposed bail for Clark because the victim feared for his own safety and his family's.

Magistrate Richard Pithouse granted Clark bail with conditions. He will return to court on March 4 for a committal mention.

http://www.thecourier.com.au/news/l...urt-threat-to-kill-over-cannabis/1693137.aspx

 

[kingpin007]

Police find cannabis worth $2m at Colo

Tuesday, December 01, 2009 » 09:54pm

Cannabis plants potentially worth $2 million have been seized from a property northwest of Sydney, police say.

Police allegedly discovered 500 mature plants, and 1,000 smaller plants, as well as about 10kg in dried cannabis leaf in a shed when they raided a rural property on Upper Colo Road, Colo, on Tuesday morning.

The plants have an estimated potential street value of $2 million, police say.

Officers also seized almost $90,000 cash.

A 62-year-old man has been charged with offences including drug cultivation and possession, as well as fire related matters.

He has been refused bail to appear at Penrith Local Court on Wednesday.

http://bigpondnews.com/articles/Nat...ce_find_cannabis_worth_2m_at_Colo_400719.html

 

[kingpin007]

Police seize and destroy $2m cannabis crop - Bigga

Wednesday, 02 Dec 2009 10:37am

State Crime Command detectives have arrested and charged a man after the seizure and destruction of hundreds of cannabis plants, valued at almost $2 million, on a property at Bigga, in southern New South Wales.

In September this year, detectives from the SCC Firearms and Organised Crime Squad (FAOCS) formed Striker Force Dareen to investigate the commercial cultivation of cannabis within the Goulburn Local Area Command.

Around 11.30am yesterday (Tuesday 1 December), FAOCS investigators, officers from the SCC Drug Squad Plantation Unit and members of the Goulburn Local Area Command executed a search warrant on a property in Greenmantle Road, Bigga.

Police allegedly found 971 cannabis plants, valued at $1.942 million, on the property.

Officers also located two rifles, a shotgun and ammunition they allege were not safely secured.

Detectives arrested a 58-year-old man at the property.

He was taken to the Goulburn Police Station where he was charged with commercial cultivation of a prohibited drug.

He was refused bail and ordered to appear today before the Goulburn Local Court.

Police secured the scene and removed the plants, which were destroyed around 9pm under the supervision of the Rural Fire Service.

Anyone with information about the cultivation and/or supply of illegal drugs is urged to contact Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/news/l...nb3YuYXUlMkZtZWRpYSUyRjkwMDMuaHRtbCZhbGw9MQ==

 

[kingpin007]

Nine charged after police smash alleged major drug and gun syndicate - Lake Illawarra

Wednesday, 02 Dec 2009 05:39am

Police have arrested and charged nine men and smashed an alleged major illegal drug and gun distribution operating in the state’s Illawarra.

Proactive Crime Team police and detectives from the Lake Illawarra Local Area Command Drug Unit formed Strike Force Liffey in August to investigate the ongoing supply of heroin, crystal methamphetamine (ICE) and other prohibited drugs, along with firearms in the area.

About midday yesterday (Tuesday 1 December), two men were arrested by Tactical Operations Unit (TOU) officers during a vehicle stop in Moran Avenue, Dapto.

Seven other men were arrested during the execution of subsequent search warrants on four homes in Compton Street and Avondale Road, Dapto, Cringila Street, Cringila and Binya Place, Unanderra.

During these raids police allegedly seized electrical equipment, guns, knives, samurai swords, jewellery, fishing equipment, motorised tools, cars, drugs and cash.

Police will allege the syndicate has been involved in the ongoing sale of prohibited drugs and well as prohibited and unlicensed firearms.

All nine men were taken to the Port Kembla Police Station were they were questioned before being charged. Lake Illawarra police were assisted by specialist officers including members of the State Protection Group’s Dog Unit and Police Rescue.


The following charges were laid:

• A 35-year-old Dapto man was charged with: seven counts of supply indictable quantity of prohibited drug; one count of ongoing supply of prohibited drug; one count of supply prohibited weapon; two counts of supply firearm; two count of supply shortened firearm; one count of supply prohibited drug and one count of participate in criminal group. He was refused bail and will appear in Wollongong Local Court today (Wednesday 2 December).

• A 33-year-old Port Kembla man was charged with: three counts of supply a prohibited drug; one count of supply prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis; one count of take part supply prohibited drug; one count of sell prohibited weapon to buyer not authorised to possess it; three counts of supply prohibited drug; five counts of sell firearm to person unauthorised to possess it; one count of sell ammunition without seeing buyer's licence/permit; two counts of sell shortened firearm; one count of unlawfully sell firearms three times or more and one count of participate in criminal group assist criminal act. He was refused bail and will appear in Wollongong Local Court today (Wednesday 2 December).

• A 50-year-old Cringila man was charged with one count of take part in supply of prohibited drug – indictable quantity. He was refused bail and will appear in Wollongong Local Court today (Wednesday 2 December).

• A 24-year-old Dapto man was charged with: two counts of sell shortened firearm; one count of goods in custody; one count of participate in criminal group assist criminal act; once count of possess prohibited drug; once count of possess unregistered firearm and one count of possess ammunition without holding licence. He was refused bail will appear in Wollongong Local Court today (Wednesday 2 December).

• A 27-year-old Farmborough Heights man was charged with: two counts of sell shortened firearm; one count of goods in custody; one count of participate in criminal group assist criminal act; once count of possess prohibited drug; one count of possess unregistered firearm and one count of possess ammunition without holding license. He was refused bail and will appear in Wollongong Local Court today (Wednesday 2 December).

• A 36-year-old Corrimal man was charged with two counts of possess prohibited drug. He was bailed to appear in Wollongong Local Court on 15 December, 2009.

• A 36-year-old Dapto man was charged with five counts of supply prohibited drug. He was bailed to appear in Wollongong Local Court on 15 December, 2009.

• A 48-year-old Warrawong man was charged with two counts of supply prohibited drug. He was refused bail and will appear in Wollongong Local Court today (Wednesday 2 December).

• A 40-year-old Dapto man was charged with four counts of sell firearm to person unauthorised to possess it. He was refused bail and will appear in Wollongong Local Court today (Wednesday 2 December).

Investigations continue and anyone with information about the mater is urged to contact Lake Illawarra Police on (02) 4295 2699 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/news/l...nb3YuYXUlMkZtZWRpYSUyRjkwMDEuaHRtbCZhbGw9MQ==

 

[kingpin007]

Cannabis caverns revealed

Zane Jackson | 2nd December 2009

IPSWICH police have discovered a sophisticated underground cannabis farm concealed in four giant shipping containers buried beneath the backyard of a rural home.

Detectives found the cannabis crop – which was only accessible from a concealed manhole – at a Mount Walker residence on Monday evening.

But it was only yesterday that police were able to access the underground chambers after checking the site for booby-traps.

Scenes of Crime officers discovered 52 cannabis plants inside, all of which were impounded along with earth-moving equipment found at the premises.

Ipswich CIB Senior Constable Senior Kris Steadman said police had no indication of how long the drug farm had been operating at the Rosewood-Warrill View Road address.

“Police were called to the residence at about 7pm on Monday night for a disturbance. The entrance was discovered some time after that and was kept under guard until we could investigate the next day,” he told The Queensland Times.

“There are inherent risks with any drug crop that it could have a man-trap, so we waited until the next day so we could safely investigate the crop.”

“It’s hard to judge the value of the crop at this stage, but if you didn’t know where to look it would have been hard to find.”

It is believed earth-moving equipment was used to dig a hole at the back of the property, into which the shipping containers were placed and then covered with dirt.

Police officers began dismantling the underground drug set-up, which had its own electricity supply, about 7am.

As well as plants, they seized hydroponic lights and fertiliser.

A 41-year-old woman and a 53-year-old man have been charged with drug-related offences, including producing dangerous drugs and possessing dangerous drugs.

They have been released on police bail and will appear at Ipswich Magistrates Court on January 5.

http://www.qt.com.au/story/2009/12/02/cannabis-caverns-revealed/

 

[kingpin007]

Police have seized what could be Western Australia's biggest haul of ecstasy, which they believe were destined for schoolie's week locations.

They say they seized 14 kilograms of the drug, or the equivalent of 42,000 tablets, last Tuesday.

Police are tight-lipped on the operation, but say they are looking for 'a person of interest'.

Detective Superintendent Charlie Carver says the haul is a coup for police.

"I believe quite strongly that it was due for schoolies week," he said.

"Which basically means that these people are peddling in drugs, trying to give them to our kids during schoolies week and we will not walk away from that."

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/12/03/2761159.htm?site=perth

 

[marley]

^^ More from http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,1,26435948-2761,00.html

WA POLICE are hunting an out-of-pocket drug dealer after intercepting 42,000 ecstasy tablets - worth about $1.6 million - on the eve of Schoolies celebrations.

The 14kg stash of potentially lethal green-coloured pills, embossed with Nike tick and Apple Mac logos, is among the biggest hauls of ecstasy ever uncovered in Perth.

An online website, where users rate the effects of ecstasy and illicit pills, has recommended similar tablets to other users

 

[kingpin007]

Police seize 42,000 ecstasy pills on eve of 'Schoolies'

Police want to speak to this man about 42,000 ecstasy tablets found in Perth on eve of Schoolies Week.

Nicole Cox, police reporter

December 03, 2009 11:30am

WA POLICE are hunting an out-of-pocket drug dealer after intercepting 42,000 ecstasy tablets - worth about $1.6 million - on the eve of Schoolies celebrations.
The 14kg stash of potentially lethal green-coloured pills, embossed with Nike tick and Apple Mac logos, is among the biggest hauls of ecstasy ever uncovered in Perth.

The pills, in plastic clip seal bags, were found loaded into one of three suitcases on Tuesday, November 24.

Detectives today called on public help to identify a man, aged in his 40s, who was photographed by closed circuit surveillance at a ``destination point'' in WA.

For ``operational reasons'', police say they cannot disclose where the man was photographed or how they happened across the drugs.

Detective Superintendent Charlie Carver, head of the Organised Crime Squad, said the seizure had been a big win for police in removing thousands of ecstasy pills from WA streets and preventing potential harm to users.

``We strongly suspect that those tablets were destined for Schoolies Week,'' Det-Supt Carver said.

``You just don't know what's being put through them, what they're cut with. There's been instances where there has been glass, chalk and all sorts of other things, washing powder put in these tablets.

``They are made in laboratories that not safe.

``They are harmful, don't take them. You don't know what's in them and they can cause serious harm, if not, fatalities.''

An online website, where users rate the effects of ecstasy and illicit pills, has recommended similar tablets to other users.

Det Supt Carver said police believed the man had tried to disguise his identity by wearing a hat and sunglasses.

Anyone with information about the man or the ecstasy seizure is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,1,26435948-2761,00.html

 

[kingpin007]

the pills are the awful bzp ones that everyone hates -->

http://www.pillreports.com/index.php?page=display_pill&id=18630

no great loss if you asked me ....

Supt Carver said the purity of the tablets was expected to be known this afternoon

police said the man is looking at massive jail terms for this well when the lab test the pills to find bzp then that jail term will be like 1/4 of what it would be if it was mdxx.

Any how thank you to the police for taking that poison we all hate off the street...

 

[kingpin007]

Ecstasy found in drug dealer's car

Karen Matthews

December 4th, 2009
Share this article


A LARA drug trafficker was found with 551 ecstasy tablets hidden in the roof-lining of his BMW and ammunition stored at his workplace, a court has heard.

Glenn Travaille, 36, of Windsor Court, pleaded guilty in Geelong Magistrates' Court yesterday to charges of trafficking ecstasy, possessing the proceeds of crime and possessing ammunition without a licence.

Crown prosecutor Peter Robinson told the court that between July 15 and August 27, 2008, police had Travaille under surveillance as a result of intelligence received about possible drug trafficking.

He said that about 8.58pm on August 27, Travaille left his home and drove to Melbourne in his BMW to buy drugs.

"He returned to Lara at about 11.26pm and was stopped in McClelland St by police," he said.

"A search was later conducted on his car and, secreted in the roof-lining, police located 551 ecstasy tablets worth an estimated street value of $13,770."

Mr Robinson said that during a search of Travaille's workplace police found 11 x .22 rounds of ammunition, while digital scales, plastic deal bags and two mobile phones were seized from his Lara home.

Mr Robinson said police obtained restraining orders on a motorcycle belonging to Travaille and his BMW car, which was used in the commission of the offending.

"Both are believed to be the proceeds of crime," he said.

Neill Hutton, for Travaille, asked that the matter be adjourned to the new year for a plea hearing.

Magistrate Michael Coghlan directed that all drugs, drug-related paraphernalia and ammunition seized by police be forfeited and destroyed.

He also ordered Travaille's BMW car and motorcycle be forfeited to the Crown.

The matter was adjourned for a plea hearing on January 14 and Travaille's bail extended until that date.

http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2009/12/04/128741_news.html

 

[kingpin007]

ok theres something you all should take not of that if you stash your drugs into something expensive say a nice car then that car is now used to conceal the drugs and transport them so your car is taken from you and sold.

 

[Amblin]

Cocaine smuggled in chocolate box, court hears
AMELIA BENTLEY
December 4, 2009 - 12:04PM

A Gold Coast woman agreed to receive $2 million worth of cocaine hidden in a parcel of boxes of chocolates in return for a second-hand car, a court has heard.

Simone Cianna Harris was jailed for seven years with a non-parole period of four years for her role in the drug importation, which was uncovered by Australian Customs when officers found the illegal drug in a package sent to Queensland from Costa Rica.

The confectionery haul was found to contain 1,489 grams of cocaine with a purity of 74 per cent.

The drug had an estimated retail value of $2 million.

Earlier this year in Brisbane Supreme Court, Harris, a heroin addict, pleaded guilty to attempting to present a marketable quantity of border-controlled drug, but later sought leave to appeal her sentence, arguing it was manifestly excessive.

In a Court of Appeal judgement published today, the court was told Australian Federal Police replaced the drugs with an inert substance and placed a listening device inside the parcel.

After Harris received the package by courier at her Palm Beach address, officers heard her say accepting the illegal mail would "wipe out" a $1900 debt she had with "the fat bastard", drug dealer Constantin Oprea.

Later that day after several phone conversations between Harris and Oprea, Oprea collected her and the package and gave her the keys to a Ford Falcon, which had been parked at Gold Coast hinterland service station.

Both Harris and Oprea were later arrested.

Oprea was sentenced to 10 years' jail with a non-parole period of six years and six months.

At the time of her sentence, Harris' lawyer argued all his client received for her role in the cocaine importation was the forgiveness of a debt she owned Oprea and a second-hand Ford Falcon.

In her application for leave to appeal her conviction, Harris argued she had been used as "a puppet" by Oprea and had been tricked into receiving the package.

"I feel as though I've been sentenced as a courier, which I'm clearly not," she said.

However the Court of Appeal ruled Harris' sentence was not excessive and her case did not have exceptional circumstances to warrant granting her leave to appeal.

Her application was dismissed.

Link

Silly girl for agreeing to that one... That's some expensive coke, unless they were planning on making the 1.4kg into 5.6kg with cuts.

 

[kingpin007]

Armed police pounce in drug raid

Nikkii Joyce | 5th December 2009

ARMED counter-terrorism police stormed a Sunshine Coast caravan park as part of a major drug raid allegedly involving a man accused of an earlier shooting.

Police seized $124,000 in drugs and cash after they pounced on a man as he stepped outside his Golden Beach cabin about 10pm on Thursday night.

The man was surprised by a team of special emergency response team officers.

In a rare inside glimpse, the Daily can show readers a look at the 1.1 kilogram of “speed” or pure amphetamine that was seized from the raid, which in street value is worth about $109,000.

The Daily understands drugs of this nature and consistency are believed to have only recently come from being “cooked” or manufactured.

The amphetamines are then cut down, a saline solution is often added and then the drugs are placed in a syringe for injection.

The Ipswich man was charged with trafficking dangerous drugs, two counts of possession of dangerous drugs, possession of proceeds of a crime, possession of utensils and possession of things used in the commission of a crime.

He appeared at Ipswich Magistrates Court yesterday and was remanded in custody until his next court date on December 10.

A 22-year-old St George woman was also arrested and charged with one count of possess property suspected of being proceeds of crime and possess a dangerous drug.

She will appear at the Ipswich Magistrates Court on January 1 next year.

Police are believed to be interviewing the 28-year-old man in relation to a shooting during a police pursuit in the Ipswich area earlier this week.

The Golden Beach drug raid was coordinated by Goodna police detectives with the cooperation of the Sunshine Coast police.

Goodna police criminal investigation branch acting detective sergeant Isa Tolete said the raid was the result of a lengthy investigation by police.

Detectives believe the male offender had only just arrived at the Sunshine Coast.

“The man was believed to be extremely dangerous and so the special emergency response team have been called in to assist with the raid,” he said.

Sunshine Coast police superintendent Ben Hanbidge said the shocking image would give the public a clear idea of what drug users inject into themselves.

“I can’t stress enough the dangers of using such illicit drugs of which the origins are really unknown,” Supt Hanbidge said.

“The seizure of this quantity of drugs, which had the potential to be cut into a considerable large amount of amphetamines, is a significant recovery particularly if in fact it was meant for the Sunshine Coast.”

http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/story/2009/12/05/armed-police-pounce-in-raid/

 

[mepat1111]

interestingly they refer to it as 'amphetamine' not amphetamines at one point, I wonder if this is a typo or if people are manufacturing old-fashion amphetamine sulphate again with pseudoephedrine being so hard to come by these days to make methamphetatine...?

 

[phase_dancer]

interestingly they refer to it as 'amphetamine' not amphetamines at one point, I wonder if this is a typo or if people are manufacturing old-fashion amphetamine sulphate again with pseudoephedrine being so hard to come by these days to make methamphetatine...

Easy to check:

Meth; Simons-colour change (--> blue), Robadope or equiv - no colour change and

Amphetamine; Simons- no colour change, Robadope or equiv - colour change(-- slow --> salmon pink

Surely if amphetamine was circulating these tests would have been done by someone. If a reagent test did turn up amphetamine, I'm fairly sure we'd hear about it here.

In relation to the mention of amphetamine in the story, one thing leads me to speculate that it was probably an error on the part of the journalist. If it was amphetamine, the process would be much more involved, requiring someone with some chemistry experience and some equipment. That makes me think it less likely a rough looking batch like that wouldn't be washed and recrystallised before leaving the lab. On the other hand, meth made the usual way could be knocked up anywhere, by virtually anyone with a recipe, and so it's more likely to be seen as an impure product. Of course, greed being what it is, the possibility of it being amphetamine can't be completely ruled out.

 

[kingpin007]

Police have seized drugs worth millions of dollars from a house in Stirling.

Officers searched the house after an anonymous tip off yesterday and discovered 2.6 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine.

They also found $46,000 in cash, and steroids.

A 32-year old man who lives at the house has been charged with 2 counts of possessing a prohibited drug with intent to sell or supply, and one count of possessing unlawfully obtained property.

Detectives have also frozen about $700,000 worth of assets.

Police are investigating the source of the drugs, and possible links to outlaw motorcycle gangs.

Detective Superintendent Charlie Carver said the drugs have a street value of more than two-and-a-half million dollars.

"It's one of the biggest hauls we've had this year and is right up there in particular with methamphetamine and crystal methamphetamine," he said.

"The seizure is significant, and to take that amount of drugs off the street is a win."

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/12/05/2762946.htm?site=perth