The Australian/NZ Drug Busts Mega-Thread Part Deux

[kingpin007]

Ecstasy sold to officers
29 Jan, 2010 08:32 AM
A KEMPSEY man nabbed in an undercover operation for supplying illicit drugs has been handed a 15-month suspended jail sentence.

Cody Brian Sullivan, 21, of Bloomfield St, was fined $1200 in Kempsey Local Court this week after he was caught selling ecstasy to undercover police operatives.

The court was told that in October 2008, Kempsey detectives formed Operation Wollamba to investigate the supply of ecstasy and other prohibited drugs in the town.

About 12.23am on January 10, 2009, undercover police operatives were contacted on a mobile phone by Sullivan, who offered to sell them drugs.

Arrangements were made to meet and later that morning the undercover operatives agreed to meet Sullivan at the Kempsey Tourist Information Park to buy 10 ecstasy tablets at a price of $280.

Early that afternoon the undercover operatives met with Sullivan and other young persons at the Tourist Information Park where the drugs and the money was exchanged.

An examination of the tablets revealed they contained 28 per cent pure ecstasy.

On August 25 Sullivan attended Kempsey Police Station where he was spoken to about the sale.

The entire transaction between Sullivan and the two undercover operatives was captured on video camera.

- A KEMPSEY man has been placed on a two year good behaviour bond for driving while disqualified.

Cody Brian Sullivan, 21, of Bloomfield St, was disqualified from driving for three years after he was caught driving on a suspended licence near Macksville on July 20.

http://www.macleayargus.com.au/news/local/news/general/ecstasy-sold-to-officers/1737196.aspx

 

[kingpin007]

Seven people charged during raids on alleged $3.7m Ice distribution syndicate

Friday, 29 Jan 2010 01:33pm


Video can be viewed at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41UWqMyMSVI

Police investigating an alleged drug syndicate have charged seven people and seized illegal drugs following a number of raids across Sydney where two clandestine laboratories were discovered.

In November 2009, police from Surry Hills Region Enforcement Squad formed Strike Force Forsythe to investigate the distribution of crystal methamphetamine (Ice) in inner and south-west Sydney.

Following a controlled operation, heavily armed police from the State Protection Group’s Tactical Operations Unit as well as officers from the Region Enforcement Squad (Surry Hills) executed five simultaneous search warrants at homes in Bankstown, Hinchinbrook, Merrylands and West Ryde last night.

Six men and a woman were arrested during the raids and taken to police stations in Green Valley, Newtown and Redfern.

The arrests include:
· A 39-year-old West Ryde man charged with supplying prohibited drug (large commercial quantity).
· A 33-year-old Doonside man charged with supplying prohibited drug (large commercial quantity).
· A 38-year-old Mount Druitt man charged with supplying a commercial quantity of prohibited drug.
· A 41-year-old Mount Druitt man charged with supplying prohibited drug (large commercial quantity).
· A 44-year-old Werrington County man charged with supplying prohibited drug (large commercial quantity).
· A 24-year-old Hinchinbrook charged with supplying prohibited drug (commercial quantity)
· A 28-year-old Cromer woman charged with supplying prohibited drug (large commercial quantity).

All seven were refused bail and are expected to appear at courts across Sydney including Central Local Court, Newtown Local Court and Liverpool Local Court.

At two homes in Hinchinbrook, police discovered two clandestine laboratories with an amount of chemicals and equipment allegedly used to manufacture crystal methamphetamine (Ice) seized.

During the course of the investigation police allegedly seized 3.1kg of Ice with an estimated potential street value of $3.7million which equates to approximately 63,000 individual drug deals.

Police also seized over 200 ecstasy pills and $40,000 during the raids.

Acting Central Metropolitan Region Commander, Assistant Commissioner Stuart Smith alleged police had put a major drug distribution ring out of business.

“In just three months, our expert investigators have managed to identify and dismantle what we allege is a significant drug operation peddling ice in Sydney’s south-west and the city.

“All illegal drugs have the potential to have serious health issues but ice is particularly nasty and is often produced in very dangerous environments using potentially lethal chemicals” said Assistant Commissioner Smith.

“People who use the drug ice are prone to serious side effects such as uncontrollable violence, hallucinations, paranoid delusions and bizarre behaviour.

“In recent months, police have targeted alleged drug suppliers operating at a host of music festivals across NSW, now we are putting the squeeze on their street-level trade as well,” Acting Assistant Commissioner Smith said.

Investigations by Strike Force Forsythe are continuing with further arrests expected and police are urging anyone with information about the operation or the illegal manufacture, distribuition and supply of prohibited drugs to contact their local police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000

http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/news/l...nb3YuYXUlMkZtZWRpYSUyRjk4MDQuaHRtbCZhbGw9MQ==

 

[belarki]

Queensland police officer caught up in ecstasy raid

By Greg Stolz
February 01, 2010 12:00am

TWO Gold Coast police stations have been raided by the Crime and Misconduct Commission after a junior constable was allegedly caught up in a drug investigation.

CMC officers raided the Surfers Paradise and Burleigh Heads police stations yesterday morning after what were believed to be ecstasy tablets were found with a group of people which included the constable in Brisbane's Fortitude Valley at the weekend.

It was unclear whether the pills had been seized during a drug raid.

The Queensland Police Service refused to comment.

A CMC spokesman confirmed their officers and police Ethical Standards Command had raided "a number of premises in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast as part of an investigation into allegations of misconduct by police".

The Queensland Police Union also refused to comment.

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,,26659318-3102,00.html

 

[kingpin007]

Mother defends Gold Coast policeman in drugs probe



Greg Stolz

February 01, 2010 11:00pm

A GOLD Coast policeman at the centre of a mystery misconduct probe joined the police force because he wanted to fight crime, not commit it, his mother says.

Wendy Daniels defended her son Daniel yesterday after he was suspended from duty as part of a Crime and Misconduct Commission investigation.

Constable Daniels, 27, was picked up during co-ordinated CMC raids across Brisbane and the Gold Coast early on Sunday. The Surfers Paradise and Burleigh Heads police stations were among premises raided by teams of corruption fighters.

Constable Daniels, a uniformed officer based at Surfers Paradise, was reportedly detained after drugs were found in Brisbane's Fortitude Valley where he spent the weekend with friends.

However, The Courier-Mail understands more than a dozen officers may be under CMC scrutiny as part of a long-running investigation codenamed Operation Tesco.

It is believed a Fortitude Valley unit where Constable Daniels was staying was raided simultaneously with his Gold Coast home, along with other addresses.

The CMC's Director of Misconduct Investigations, Russell Pearce, yesterday confirmed the raids were "part of an ongoing police misconduct investigation that, until yesterday, was being progressed by the CMC in a covert manner".

Although Constable Daniels was stood down yesterday, Mr Pearce said speculation that charges were imminent was "ill-founded".

"The activities undertaken on Sunday were part of an investigation that is likely to be continued for some time," he said.

Mrs Daniels said she had "no idea" why her son was being investigated but did not believe he would do anything wrong.

"The CMC doesn't tell you anything," she said from the suburban Gold Coast home she shares with her son.

"Dan joined the police force to fight this stuff and now he's being looked at.

"He's one of the key people (police) in Surfers Paradise and he's always taking down the bad guys. At the moment, he's shattered. It's been quite devastating for everybody."

Mrs Daniels confirmed her son had spent the weekend in the Valley with his girlfriend and friends.

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,,26665076-3102,00.html

 

[cosdog]

Police seize $9m worth of cannabis in raids
LARISSA HAM
February 5, 2010 - 12:50PM
More than 100 police have raided 16 homes across Melbourne's south-eastern suburbs in the past two days, cracking open a major cannabis trafficking network worth at least $9 million.

The four-month Drug Task Force operation came to a head in the past two days, as police searched houses in Hampton Park, Narre Warren, Berwick and Endeavour Hills.

Most of the houses raided contained hydroponic commercial cannabis crops. More than 1100 cannabis plants - worth an estimated street value of $9 million - were seized in total, along with $250,000 in cash.

Eight of the 13 people arrested are due to face Melbourne Magistrates Court today.

One person has been charged and bailed to appear in court at a later date, while another four have been released pending further inquiries.

Detective Inspector Doug Fryer said the operation would have a significant impact on the illegal cannabis trade.

“It has been a great two days for our investigators and a very bad two days for the organised crime syndicate involved in the operation," he said.

“This successful operation has removed in excess of half a tonne of cannabis from making it on the streets.

“We will continue to focus on organised crime groups involved in commercial drug trafficking with part of our goal being to strip them of all their assets”.

http://www.theage.com.au/national/police-seize-9m-worth-of-cannabis-in-raids-20100205-nhhy.html

We'll see how this impacts things.

 

[kingpin007]

$9m drugs bust in Melbourne’s south-east

05 Feb 10 @ 12:38pm by Lisa Edgerton



UPDATE 2.10pm: CANNABIS worth $9m has been seized from 16 homes in Narre Warren, Berwick, Officer, Cranbourne and Endeavour Hills.

>> PICTURES: Police raid Narre Warren home in drugs operation

Thirteen people have been arrested after more than 100 detectives and local police searched the homes in the past two days.

The raids followed a four-month investigation targeting a “sophisticated cannabis-trafficking network”.

Police seized more than 1100 hydroponic cannabis plants and more than $250,000 in cash, including from homes in Eskdale Court, Narre Warren, and Mansfield St, Berwick.

Drug task force Detective Insp Doug Fryer said about 100 to 150 plants were found at each property - one of which was about 150m from Maramba Park Primary School.

Eight of the houses were lived-in, but none were “family homes”, Insp Fryer said.

The first arrest was made at 7am yesterday.

“It’s a very sophisticated operation, in excess of 1200 plants,” he said.

Crime scene guards are in place at each house.

An elderly neighbour in Eskdale Court, Narre Warren, said the raids had come as a surprise.

“We had absolutely no clue what was going on,” he said.

“Until the police arrived we just thought it was a normal house.

“We would never have suspected anything like that. It’s unbelievable.”

Insp Fryer said the operation had now concluded and was expected to have made a significant impact on the illegal cannabis trade.

“This successful operation has removed in excess of half a tonne of cannabis from making it on the streets,” he said.

Eight of those charged were due to face Melbourne Magistrates’ Court today.

Another person was charged and bailed to appear at court at a later date, while a further four people have been released pending further inquiries.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

http://pakenham-cardinia-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/9m-drugs-bust-in-melbournes-south-east/

 

[kingpin007]

Police seize around $5m in cannabis during drug squad raids – Far North Coast
Sunday, 07 Feb 2010 05:43am

***Editors note: Still images of the Cannabis Eradication Program can be obtained by contacting the NSW Police Media Unit on (02) 8263 6100***

Police have seized cannabis, valued around $5m, during a major drug squad operation on the state’s Far North Coast.

Strike Force Farrelly comprised detectives from the State Crime Command Drug Squad, the Tweed/Byron Local Area Command, the NSW Police Air Wing, the Dog Squad and the Radio Electronics Unit.

The Cannabis Eradication Program (C.E.P.) targeted the areas of Burringbar, Murwillumbah, Mullumbimby, Uki and surrounding national parks over five days last week.

A total of 2446 plants, ranging from one to five metres in height, were located.

The haul has an estimated potential street value of $4.8m.

Police issued four men with Court Attendance Notices in relation to alleged drug cultivation while Tweed/Byron LAC officers are investigating another four seizures following the operation.

On one property, police seized 88 cannabis plants contained in an indoor hydroponic set-up.

All the plants were recorded into evidence and destroyed.

The results of Strike Force Farrelly take the number of plants seized by the Drug Squad in the past three months to almost 20,000.

The estimated potential street value of those seizures is $57m.

Drug Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent Nick Bingham, warned illegal drug growers, “You won’t know where or when we’ll strike, but we’ve got your crops in our sights.”

“We have been conducting Cannabis Eradication Programs since the mid-1980s and we have got it down to a fine art,” Detective Superintendent Bingham said.

“Whether it’s a semi-rural property or a steep mountainside in a remote part of the state, there’s a high chance we’ll locate these illegal crops and destroy them.”

“My detectives are highly trained and can winch down from a chopper into treacherous terrain with ease to remove cannabis plantations,” Det Supt Bingham said.

“They’re backed up by the Police Air Wing whose officers can easily spot a cannabis crop from the sky.”

“NSW Police also raided a so-called ‘hydro house’ last week at Quakers Hill in Sydney, so if you think you’re safe, growing illegal drugs indoors, then you’d better think again.”

http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/news/l...nb3YuYXUlMkZtZWRpYSUyRjk5MTYuaHRtbCZhbGw9MQ==

 

[Klue]

Mullum madness: $1.9m worth seized

Senior Constable Darren Worthing and Detective Senior Constable Julia Robb at the Mullumbimy Showground with some of the cannabis plants seized over the past two days. Police have not ruled out a second sweep of the area in the coming months.

STRIKE Force Farrelly has netted $5 million worth of cannabis in five days of operations in the region.

Officers wound up the Tweed-Byron phase of its cannabis eradication operation yesterday after two days of intensive sweeps over the Mullumbimby area.

Based at Mullumbimby Showground, where Polair One regularly refuelled, Strike Force officers seized 329 plants on Thursday and 617 yesterday. The haul has an estimated value of almost $1.9m.

Another 1500 plants were seized earlier in the week at Burringbar, Murwillumbah and Uki.

All 2446 plants were destroyed at a secret location yesterday.

Strike Force leader, Detective Inspector Michele Ledden, thanked local communities who she said welcomed them into the region.

“People have been very positive,” she said.

“We’ve had people approaching us in the street to thank us and sometimes offer information.

“People realise any cultivation and supply has links to organised crime and profits from plantations will go to fund other criminal and drug activities.

“That lot is out of harm’s way now.”

Police estimate each of the 2446 plants seized have a mature street value of $2000 each.

The biggest hauls came from Pumpenbil near Uki on Wednesday where 1000 plants were seized.

It is the second time the State Crime Command has raided Uki in as many weeks following the discovery of Australia’s first MDMA laboratory capable of producing the chemicals used to make ecstasy.

There have been no arrests as yet but police said they will follow-up with investigations based on evidence collected and information received.

Insp Ledden said the focus of the operation was to eradicate as many plantations before harvest to reduce the yield that police believe was destined for nationwide distribution.

“Strike Force Farrelly will continue its operations across the State for the next couple of months,” she said, explaining that exact locations had to remain a secret.

“Who knows, we might be back here – we like to surprise them.”

http://www.northernstar.com.au/story/2010/02/06/mullum-madness-19m-worth-seized/

 

[JoshE]

Trafficking charge follows Kambalda cannabis tip-off

A WA man has been charged with drug trafficking after police responding to a tip-off allegedly found 64 bags of cannabis at his home.

Police said they visited the man's home at Kambalda yesterday after receiving information there were cannabis plants growing there.

The occupant of the house had said he was growing two plants in his backyard for personal use.

Police allege they saw several more plants and obtained a search warrant.

The search located 64 bags of cannabis and other loose cannabis weighing a total of 5.4kg, and 12 cannabis plants, police will allege.

A thousand cannabis seeds and $6250 in cash were also found, police said.

The man has been charged with possession of cannabis with intent to sell or supply, possession of cannabis, unlawful possession (relating to the cash) and cultivating cannabis.

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He has been released on $10,000 bail and a further $10,000 surety, and is due to appear in Kalgoorlie Magistrates Court next Thursday, February 11.

http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/wes...cannabis-tip-off/story-e6frg14u-1225827275821

 

[kingpin007]

Ecstasy phone messages earn jail

Bruce Mckean | 10th February 2010

KARA Dow was a young woman dabbling in drugs and not thinking about the consequences.

She broke down and cried in the Supreme Court dock yesterday when she was jailed for drug trafficking.

Like many young people, she kept her text messages on her mobile phone and police used them to confirm her involvement with drugs.

Dow, now aged 21, was aged 19 and 20 when she purchased ecstasy tablets from a known dealer and passed them on to friends.

She claimed she didn’t make a profit and was only trying to help out her friends.

She pleaded guilty in Mackay yesterday to trafficking in ecstasy between January 31, 2008, and August 31, 2008.

A search warrant was executed on Dow’s Goldsmith Street residence but officers found no incriminating material, Crown prosecutor Richard Pointing said.

However, Dow agreed to go with officers to the police station where her mobile phone was checked and text messages related to drugs were found.

She admitted that she supplied 13 people with ecstasy tablets.

She estimated she purchased a total of 123 tablets and sold them for between $15 and $30 each.

She said she received messages from people wanting to get drugs and she would supply them.

Police estimated she spent about $4270 on drugs and passed them on to her friends.

“The offence came to light as a result of her co-operation with police,” Mr Pointing said.

“She claims she sold the drugs for the same price she purchased them and made no profit.”

Barrister Paddy Cullinane said Dow used to work in the hospitality industry but now worked for a fast food outlet.

“I don’t think it is appreciated by young people in the community how serious their actions are,” Mr Cullinane said.

Two references were tendered.

“She is widely well thought of,” Mr Cullinane said.

“She was a low level, street-level dealer who co-operated with police.”

The motive for her transactions could have been misguided loyalty to friends or a feeling of wanting to be included among others, he said.

Justice Duncan McMeekin said Dow had many things in her favour, including her youth, her previous good history and her co-operation with authorities.

“But I believe a penalty has to be imposed which won’t outrage the community and some actual term of imprisonment has to be served,” Justice McMeekin said.

Dow was jailed for two-and-a-half years, to be suspended after serving six months.

About seven young people were in court to support her.

http://www.dailymercury.com.au/story/2010/02/10/ecstasy-dealing-messages-on-phone-earn-jail/

 

[kingpin007]

Mum nabbed with 150 drug tablets

Bruce Mckean | 10th February 2010

WHEN Nicole Tishler arrived at the Mackay Railway Station with her eight-year-old son she was caught with 150 ecstasy tablets in her bag.

Police received a tip-off about the drugs and were waiting for her at the railway station at 7am on October 11, 2007.

Tishler had just arrived and police found the pink tablets, each with the Nike symbol on them, in an envelope, Crown prosecutor Richard Pointing told the Supreme Court in Mackay.

She told police she’d purchased them for $15 each and intended to sell them in Mackay for $30 each.

The pure weight of drugs in the tablets was 8.198 grams.

There had been a delay of more than two years in the case coming to court for a number of reasons.

Firstly, the case was transferred to the Supreme Court in Brisbane. Then it was wrongly sent to the Drug Court in Brisbane. And finally it was sent back to Mackay.

Tishler pleaded guilty to possessing ecstasy.

Barrister Bronwyn Hartigan, for Tishler, said: “Her greatest concern is her son. He doesn’t cope with change.”

If Tishler was sent to jail, her son would have to be cared for by her 21-year-old daughter who already had the care of her own seven-month-old child.

The son suffered Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

Ms Hartigan said Tishler had been involved in drugs in 2007 but had since rehabilitated herself.

Part of her motive for buying and potentially selling the drug was to get money to move back to Brisbane, Ms Hartigan said.

Justice Duncan McMeekin said Tishler had co-operated by giving an interview to police and making admissions about her possession.

However, he warned that ecstasy was a dangerous drug which caused enormous harm.

“People think it is just a fun drug but it does great harm, particularly to young people who take it,” Justice McMeekin said.

Tishler was jailed for 18 months, suspended immediately on condition she commits no more offences for two years.

http://www.dailymercury.com.au/story/2010/02/10/mum-nabbed-with-150-drug-tablets-for-sale/

 

[kingpin007]

Timothy Geoffrey Lee's extradition on alleged $30 million ecstasy bust approved by court in Bali

* By Cindy Wockner and Komang Suriadi
* From: The Daily Telegraph
* February 22, 2010 6:12PM

A BALI court has approved the extradition of Australian Timothy Geoffrey Lee to Sydney to face charges relating to a $30 million ecstasy bust.

Judge Daniel Palittin, in Denpasar District Court, granted the extradition today, saying that the Australian Government's request had been fulfilled and that the alleged crime for which he is wanted in NSW is on the list of extradictable offences.

Later this week Lee is expected to spend his first night at Bali's Kerobokan Jail which is already home to 11 other Australians including Schapelle Corby and the Bali Nine.

Until now Lee has been held at the jail cells at Bali's police headquarters in Denpasar where his lawyers said he was living in difficult and harsh conditions in a crowded cell.

Members of the Bali Nine heroin gang, three of whom are on death row, are all held in one cell block known as the Tower Block.

Another Australian, Robert McJannett, who was arrested in late December, allegedly with 1.7 grams of marijuana in his luggage, is also in Kerobokan Jail awaiting his trial.

Lee, 44, who maintains his innocence, was supported at today's hearing by his mother who lives in Bali. He did not make any comment.

Lee, a dual Australian and British passport holder, was arrested in Bali, where he was living, in early January at the request of Australian police who told their Indonesian counterparts he was wanted for trial in NSW on charges of allegedly supplying a commercial quantity of prohibited drug and dealing with proceeds of crime.

Documents sent to authorities in Indonesia to support the arrest and extradition said the charges relate to Operation Lanyard - a NSW police operation which smashed a European drug syndicate importing ecstasy to Australia and which seized drugs with a street value of $30 million, including 1kg of cocain, 45kg of MDMA, 11kg of MDMA powder, 45 litres of MDMA oil and $200,000 cash.

However the court decision, that he should be extradited, is the start of what will be a long process and he is not expected to be sent home for some time yet. His extradition must now be approved by Indonesia's President, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, and Lee is expected to be in prison in Bali for many months yet.

Extradition between Australia and Indonesia is a lengthy process and another Australian man, whose extradition has been approved, has been jailed in Jakarta for more than a year already awaiting extradition.

Lee and his lawyers had attempted to waive the need for the formal extradition and long wait by agreeing to voluntarily return to Australian in the company of Australian Federal Police officers however this was denied.

In a handwritten letter to authorities, Lee said: "I would like to say that I agree voluntarily to go to Australia without the extradition process. I write this statement without duress from anyone. And I declare that I am not guilty of the charges made against me.''

And his Australian lawyers wrote to Attorney-General Robert McClelland saying that Lee would return to Australia voluntarily.

They said that Lee was entitled to a presumption of innocence and that the conditions in which he is held are harsh.

In addition to delays in him leaving Indonesia they pointed out that he would spend up to three more years for him to be dealt with through the local and district courts of NSW.

"It could mean that Mr Lee's journey through the justice systems of Indonesia and NSW could take up to 4 years before he knows his fate,'' lawyer Paul Hardin said in the letter.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/ne...by-court-in-bali/story-e6frev00-1225833156788

 

[kingpin007]

Drugs found in handbag

Bruce Mckean | 22nd February 2010

POLICE found 26 ecstasy tablets in Trina Brown’s handbag when they searched it in the middle of the morning.

Brown claimed she was given the tablets by an unknown man who wanted to cheer her up.

The 37-year-old hospitality worker pleaded guilty in the Mackay Magistrate’s Court on Friday to unlawful possession of a dangerous drug last November 1.

Police were on patrol at 2.50am when they saw Brown and a man sitting on a bench in the City Heart, prosecutor Senior Constable Natasha Baggow said.

She was seen to hand something over to him during a handshake.

Both of them stood up and walked off in different directions as police approached them.

The officers detained Brown and she consented to a search of her black handbag.

They found several pills in a clip-seal bag so detectives were called.

Brown was very emotional and very agitated.

She was taken back to the police station where a further search uncovered more pills and she told the detectives they were ecstasy.

In all, a total of 26 pills were located in three clip-seal bags, Snr Const Baggow said.

Solicitor Vince Campbell, of Macrossan and Amiet, said: “She (Brown) was at work at one of the clubs in town. She had a dispute with a supervisor and was asked to go home.

“She was upset and sat outside. She thought she’d lose her job.

“Someone came along, asked her how she was and gave her the pills and said: ‘This should help’.”

Magistrate Damien Dwyer noted that this was Brown’s sixth drug-related conviction in six years and said any more convictions should lead to jail.

Brown was fined $2000.

http://www.dailymercury.com.au/story/2010/02/22/drugs-found-in-handbag/

 

[Jabberwocky]

Gladstone Man Accused of $125,00 Drug Haul

From where i live. I'm pretty sure i even know who it is

Man Accused of $125,00 Drug Haul

A 26-YEAR-OLD Gladstone man made a longer than expected stopover in the Sunshine Coast after he was arrested for allegedly being in possession of $125,000 worth of drugs.

Police intercepted a rented Holden Commodore on the Bruce Highway, near Forest Glen on the Sunshine Coast, at 11.45am on Thursday for a traffic-related matter.

The man was the sole occupant of the vehicle and inquiries led police to conduct a search of the car, Sunshine Coast police tactical crime squad’s Troy Pukallus said.

“Police have subsequently located 500g of amphetamine worth an estimated $45,000,” Senior Sergeant Pukallus said.

“About 2000 MDMA tablets were also located, with a street value of $80,000.”

The man was arrested and charged with two counts of possession of dangerous drugs.

He was kept in the watchhouse overnight and faced Maroochydore Magistrates Court yesterday morning.

His case was adjourned until March 12. Snr Sgt Pukallus said the man was not believed to be linked to the Sunshine Coast’s large-scale drug bust on Thursday.

 

[kingpin007]

Speed-addicted tradesman jailed for stealing drugs from a police station he was installing an air ventilator at



* Mark Oberhardt
* From: The Courier-Mail
* February 24, 2010 12:30PM

A SPEED addict stole a large amount of drugs from a police station exhibit room while he was working there installing an air ventilator, a court has heard.

Police were unaware that concrete cutter Tony Jackson had a 20-year addiction to methylamphetamine when he was left unattended while installing the ventilator at the Maroochydore station on the Sunshine Coast.

The Supreme Court in Brisbane heard Jackson could not resist the temptation which was likened to "leaving children in a room full of lollies" and he grabbed a large bag full of speed, ecstasy and cocaine.

Police didn't realise Jackson had stolen the drugs until three months later, by which time he had distributed the ecstasy and cocaine in return for more speed.

The court heard he had used all of the speed and not slept for 21 days before deciding to get some help for his addiction.

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Justice Debbie Mullins said Jackson must have thought "all his Christmases had come at once".

"I gather police don't do background checks on contractors or Mr Jackson would not have been at that station and in particular in the exhibit room where drugs were kept?" she asked.

Prosecutor Paula Price said she did not know the answer but it seemed that way.

Jackson, 37, pleaded guilty to stealing drugs from a police exhibit room, possessing drugs, four counts of supplying drugs on July 4, 2008.

He also pleaded guilty to producing cannabis sativa and possessing cannabis sativa, between July and October, 2008.

Ms Price said Jackson was working as a concrete cutter at the police station's exhibit room when the supervising officer left.

She said Jackson sent his offsider outside and grabbed the biggest bag which he hid in a water vacuum.

Ms Price said the bag contained 1,925 ecstasy tablets, white powder containing 4.987 grams of cocaine and 15.5 grams of speed.

Jackson had given some of the ecstasy tablets to two women to help him distribute it and also done a deal over the cocaine and rest of the tablets.

Ms Price said while Jackson had not been an employee or a servant of the police station there still needed to be a deterrent sentence.

Barrister Chris Wilson, for Jackson, said his client had got such a shock after not sleeping for 21 days after using the speed that he had sought his own rehabilitation.

He had spent six months at the Logan House centre, was now drug free, had re-established his business and mended his relations with his parents.

Mr Wilson said it had not been a planned crime but the spur of the moment actions fo a man with a 20-year speed addiction.

"It really was a case akin to children being left in a room full of lollies," Mr Wilson said.

Justice Mullins said he accepted Jackson had made efforts at overcome his problems even before being interviewed by police but there had to be a sentence which would deter others.

She sentenced Jackson to three years jail and set a parole release date after six months.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/sp...ir-ventilator-at/story-e6frf7jo-1225833847524

 

[kingpin007]

Comanchero chief arrested in drug bust
CORTLAN BENNETT
February 26, 2010 - 4:54PM


AAP

West Australian police have arrested the WA president of the Comanchero bikie gang and three associates after seizing 5.2kg of methamphetamine in a joint operation with NSW police.

About five kilograms of the drug was found hidden in a car being transported to Perth from Sydney, while a search of 13 premises in Perth overnight turned up a further 210g.

The arrests and seizures were part of Operation Baystone, which began after 2.7kg of methamphetamine was found in the Perth suburb of Stirling in December last year.

That seizure was also allegedly tied to the Comancheros.

Steve Milenkovski, 32, of Tuart Hill, Yavuz Ozan, 31, of Kogarah, NSW, and Hao Bi, 26, of East Perth, appeared in East Perth Magistrates Court on Friday charged with a range of offences related to the overnight raid.

Milenkovski was remanded in custody until March 3, while Ozan was remanded until March 5.

Bi was released on $400,000 bail to reappear on March 26.

Mark Vick Kitos, 28, of Stirling, was also charged, but did not appear in court and remains in police custody.

Police claim Milenkovski is the president of the nascent WA chapter of the Comancheros and was in the process of establishing the club in the state.

"We've got the president - there was actually a structure in place - there are a number of other people that we are waiting to see when and if they will be patched, and that was going to happen (this) weekend," WA Serious and Organised Crime Division Superintendent Jim Migro told reporters on Friday.

"They are establishing themselves here in WA."

The Comancheros are regarded as one of the most violent motorcycle gangs in Australia. Five members face charges over a fatal bikie brawl at Sydney Airport last year.

Supt Migro told reporters there was "a clear link between this drug shipment and the Comancheros", adding it was part of an organised crime trend that had been attracted to WA by its booming economy.

Other eastern states-based bikie gangs the Finks and Rock Machine (formerly the Nomads) have established themselves in WA in the past 18 months.

"We are an area that is very rich at present - a great area for organised crime to come and focus on," Supt Migro said.

"We have got a lot of people with large sums of money, very disposable income - great targets for organised crime - and that's why organised crime from all groups are starting to look at and concentrate on WA.

"This is a very significant bust - 7.5kg of amphetamines over a couple of months."

Supt Migro said the investigation was ongoing.

http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-new...hief-arrested-in-drug-bust-20100226-p81o.html

 

[2sleepy]

Ecstasy lab worth $3 million found

Ecstasy lab worth $3 million found: police

Updated March 3, 2010 15:00:00
Ecstasy tablets

Police say the lab could have produced $3 million worth of ecstasy. (Getty Images)

* Map: Hinchinbrook 2168

A 27-year-old man has become the eleventh person to be charged over a drug manufacturing operation.

A police raid on a home at Hinchinbrook in Sydney's west has uncovered a drug laboratory capable of producing $3 million worth of ecstasy.

Officers also found 40,000 pills and a pill press. It is expected up to six kilos of ecstasy powder will also be removed from the lab.

Police had originally said the haul was worth $10 million, but later corrected the figure.

The 27-year-old Hinchinbrook man has been charged with the large commercial manufacture of prohibited drugs.

Police say he is the latest alleged member of a large drugs syndicate responsible for the supply and manufacture of ice and ecstasy.

In January, police from the Surry Hills Regional Enforcement squad raided five properties and arrested seven people.

Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2...section=justin

 

[thestudent14]

A MAN allegedly had almost 800 ecstasy tablets tucked down the front of his pants when he was stopped by police in Sydney.

He was stopped on Friday in a car park near Chatswood railway station in the city's north.

"As police were arresting a 21-year-old man, they removed a bag concealed within his clothing," police said.

"This bag was later found to contain 785 tablets, believed to be ecstasy."

The tablets are estimated to have a street value of about $23,500.

The man has been charged with possessing and supplying drugs and is due to appear in Central Local Court on Wednesday.

source: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/br...tablets-in-pants/story-e6frf7jx-1225840885733

 

[JoshE]

Police show cannabis haul

Police in Perth have seized more than 30 kilograms of cannabis.

Police say a 35-year-old man has been charged with intent to sell or supply, after the drugs, with an estimated street value of about $300,000, were seized along with more than $200,000 in cash.

They allege the drugs were brought into the state by a 51-year-old truck driver from South Australia.

He has also been charged with drug offences.

Detective Inspector John Adams from the Gang Crime Squad says investigations are continuing.

"The information that we initially received suggested that there may have been links to organised crime gangs in Western Australia," he said.
"As a result of that our office has become involved."

Source: http://au.news.yahoo.com/a/-/australian-news/6941172/police-show-cannabis-haul/

 

[2sleepy]

Pair arrested over airport drug bust

Pair arrested over airport drug bust

By Alex Johnson

Updated March 12, 2010 16:37:00
Cannabis plant

Police say they have raided a hotel room to find a commercial quantity of cannabis and MDMA. [Courtesy NT Police]

* Map: Darwin 0800

Police have arrested two alleged members of an organised crime syndicate in Darwin over the importation of a commercial quantity of drugs.

Police today released details of the arrests which were made on Wednesday, as part of Operation Iodine.

Officers say a sniffer dog detected MDMA, or ecstasy, on a 22-year-old Brisbane man at Darwin Airport.

A 21-year-old man was arrested later that night after police found him at a hotel near the airport.

In total police allegedly found 576 pills and 10 grams of cannabis.

Both men are expected to be charged with possessing a commercial quantity of MDMA and supplying the drug.

source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/03/12/2844476.htm