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The Australian/NZ Drug Busts Mega-Thread Part Deux

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Police witness loses immunity in drug arrest

AN INFORMANT who evaded prosecution for his role in the sale of stolen army rocket launchers that were acquired by a Sydney terrorist cell has been arrested.

The man, a former member of the Rebels motorcycle gang, turned whistleblower for counter-terrorism police investigating the theft and sale of 10 rocket launchers stolen from the Holsworthy army base in 2001.

He was arrested this month by drug squad police investigating amphetamine supply - living in a new Sydney estate incorporating a private golf course. Police seized a Lamborghini from his garage in the raid.

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The man was given the code name Harrington and indemnity from prosecution for giving evidence in the trial of former army captain Shane Della-Vedova, who used Harrington as a go-between to sell the rocket launchers. Harrington passed on at least seven of the launchers to south-western Sydney illegal gun dealer Taha Abdul-Rahman, who became the middle man in selling two of the launchers to Adnan ''Eddie'' Darwiche for use in his feud with a rival drug gang.

Darwiche, serving a triple life sentence for murder, on-sold five other launchers to members of a Lakemba terrorist cell, all of whom have since been convicted despite only one of the launchers ever being found.

Harrington got off scot free. Abdul-Rahman received a 2½ year

SMH
 
Man to front court over car cannabis

A 24-year-old man is due to face the Colac Magistrates Court this morning on drug charges, after police discovered almost half a kilogram of cannabis during a car search last night.

Police say they pulled over a car on the Princes Highway about 5:30am (AEDT) and searched it after they smelt drugs.

They say they uncovered about 450 grams of cannabis.

A Colac man has been charged with trafficking, possession and use of a drug of dependence.

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Men charged over police drugs warehouse break-in

Three men will appear in court in February after they allegedly tried to break into a secure police building containing drugs confiscated in raids last month.

Millions of dollars worth of drugs, including marijuana, were seized during operation entity, which involved raids on 68 properties across Melbourne and regional Victoria.

Police allege the men were caught trying to break into the Collingwood warehouse earlier this month. Nothing was stolen.

A 22-year-old Heidelberg West man, a 20-year-old from North Fitzroy and a 22-year- old from Mill Park have been bailed to appear in the Melbourne Magistrates court in February.

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A man accused of supplying liquid ecstasy at a party where a woman later died has been committed to stand trial.

Vaughan Heath McDonald, 37, is charged with manslaughter and recklessly causing grievous bodily harm.

Police say a number of young people overdosed on liquid ecstasy at a party in Albury on the New South Wales-Victoria border last January.

A 19-year-old woman later died in hospital.
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Pair facing charges after discovery of marijuana crop

Two people are facing charges over the discovery of a large marijuana crop at Bittern on the Mornington Peninsula.

Police say more than 1,000 plants with an estimated street value of $1 million were seized at a Myers Road property yesterday.

A 54-year-old Bittern man will appear at the Melbourne Magistrates Court today and a 54-year-old woman has been granted bail to appear in court at a later date.

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Drink spike 'victims' caught taking drugs

Police say some allegations of drink spiking at Darwin bars last weekend have been found to be cases of people taking drugs themselves.

Ten people reported having their drinks spiked at clubs on Mitchell and Smith streets in the CBD.

Some were taken to hospital hyperventilating and disorientated.

At the time, police said some of the victims had accepted a drink from a man they did not know.

But police now say security camera footage at the bars shows some of the alleged victims deliberately ingesting the drugs themselves.

"While all reports of drink spiking are taken very seriously by NT Police, a number of recent investigations have found evidence to suggest drug ingestion was actually self inflicted," Acting Assistant Commissioner Colleen Gwynne said.

"Police officers have spent significant hours trawling CCTV footage, only to find what appears to be some of the 'victims' taking drugs.

"We know that there are genuine cases of drink spiking that go on all over the world; a completely cowardly crime which should never go unreported.

"But research also suggests that most claims of drink spiking are the result of someone getting too drunk and doing something they regret.

"This appears to be the case with some of the drink spiking reports received in Darwin recently."

Story here
 
Ex-Knights player cleared of drug charges

A court has dismissed drug supply charges against former Newcastle Knights rugby league player Chris Houston.

A Newcastle magistrate today dismissed four charges relating to the supply of ecstasy and cocaine last year.

The charges were based on intercepted phone calls between Houston and fellow team-mate Danny Wicks, but the magistrate found the police case against Houston was flawed.

Wicks has already pleaded guilty to drug supply charges.

Houston resigned from the Knights when the charges were laid, but the club says it is keen to re-sign the player.


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Cocaine attacks heart of Sydney

A FIT and healthy 27-year-old man, with a high-flying job and income to match, has a sudden heart attack.

Doctors are mystified. There's no family history and it's not related to stress.

In this case, it's the police who have the answer. High-grade cocaine flooding Sydney as South American and Mexican drug barons battle for supremacy.

The soaring Australian dollar and high profit margins have made the local market irresistible to international drug cartels.

And their clients are risking their livelihoods and their lives combining the pure cocaine with heavy drinking and other pursuits that raise the heartrate - sex and exercise.

"This year we have had six cases of people who have had heart attacks who have admitted to using cocaine. Normally we would be lucky to get one a year," Royal North Shore Hospital Interventional Cardiology Unit director Dr Gregory Nelson said.

"And they are the ones who have admitted to using cocaine. I suspect there are many others who have had heart attacks and not admitted to taking cocaine."

Dr Nelson said there was no research to show the number of heart attacks linked to cocaine or why there had been an increase in heart attacks because of the drug.

He said most of the victims he had seen this year had suffered the heart attack 24 hours after taking cocaine.

"If you were to design a drug to induce a heart attack, it would be cocaine," he said.

And as cocaine usage hits a 20-year high, police intelligence has found the drug is slowly spreading to the suburbs away from its normal base of city nightspots.

"From the number of arrests there has certainly been a jump in cocaine use in Sydney," NSW Drug Squad head Nick Bingham said.

Drug Squad intelligence from January to June this year also indicated cocaine use was becoming more common in areas such as St George and Leichhardt, as well as the traditional inner-city and Eastern Suburbs hotspots.

"The number of incidents detected in these areas is not large but it does appear cocaine use and dealing is spreading from its normal base," he said.

"The Flemington local area command is an area where there are a lot of rave parties and music festivals. Rosehill has the races," Superintendent Bingham said.

"Cocaine users are harder to detect as they tend to be more affluent and people who rarely have contact with police. They are not your stereotypical users of drugs such as heroin or ice."

And if the threat of a heart attack or jail was not enough to put you off, there is the fact cocaine is being broken down with dubious cutting agents.

"Cocaine in Australia lately has been cut with Levamisole - a worming product for animals," Supt Bingham said.

Police are reluctant to give details of their undercover operations, which have led to many recent arrests.

"We deploy plainclothes police who buy drugs for the purposes of gaining intelligence and to infiltrate criminal groups," Supt Bingham said.

"Sniffer dogs are also used to detect drug use."

from here
 
House fire reveals marijuana nursery

Emergency services responding to a house fire in Melbourne's west have found a large amount of cannabis on the premises.

Firefighters were called to the Brooklyn home around 9:15am (AEST) on Saturday, but no one was home so they had to make a forced entry to the house.

Once inside they allegedly discovered the hydroponic set-up.

Police were later called in and seized about 100 plants.

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$20M drug seizure at Tamworth

Tamworth police believe they may have intercepted an organised crime network after seizing $20-million worth of illegal drugs.

Inspector Jeff Budd says two men from Cronulla in Sydney's south have been arrested.

Police said the amount of MDMA powder found could have been pressed into around three quarters of a million amphetamine pills.

Inspector Budd said it is a big result for police and there may be more arrests to come.

"Yes it's a massive haul," said the Inspector.

"We had a van drove into one of our random breath test sites."

"Fortunately one of our best young police officers there has made some really really good observations, detected some drug making paraphernalia in the back of this van and the rest has led to 19.5 kilos of amphetamine."

Inspector Budd said the arrests were made over the weekend.

"Well there's a lot of things I can't sort of talk about because the matters are before the court," he said.

"But essentially that started a chain of events where further inquiries were made by police. Two men have been charged with serious manufacturing charges now both are in custody awaiting further court appearance."

"There's very serious connections with a find of this size. It's obviously of an organised nature so yes those inquiries still continue," said Inspector Budd.

From here
 
Police believe Sydney navy base at the centre of suspected drug ring

Probe into alleged navy base drug ring
Could be the most serious scandal to hit ADF
Suspected ring involves "number of personnel"
AUTHORITIES are investigating what is believed to be a large drug-trafficking ring being run by navy personnel out of Sydney's Garden Island naval base.
The probe by NSW police and the Defence Department is believed to be focused on a core of sailors - potentially dozens - whom Defence believes are operating a lucrative drug distribution network from the Sydney Harbour base, which is the navy's main base in eastern Australia.

If proved, it would be one of the most serious drug-related scandals to hit the Australian Defence Force, which has struggled to contain the use of illicit drugs in its ranks.
A navy source yesterday said the issue was being treated seriously by the navy's top brass. "If these allegations are proved, then these people can kiss goodbye to their futures," the source said.
A Defence spokesperson yesterday confirmed that the ADF Investigative Service was examining the allegations.

"ADFIS is conducting an investigation into allegations involving navy personnel," the spokesperson said.

"As these allegations remain under investigation, it is inappropriate to comment on the specific nature of these matters."
The ADFIS is a tri-service body used only "for complex and major investigations" involving Defence members suspected of breaching the Defence Force Discipline Act.
A spokesperson for NSW police yesterday confirmed that police were "conducting an investigation into alleged illegal activity by navy personnel at Garden Island."

The suspected drug ring is believed to involve a "sizeable number of uniformed navy personnel" and according to one source, it has involved the sale of drugs to backpackers visiting Sydney.
It is unclear how long the investigation has been going and what drugs are allegedly involved.
No charges have been laid.

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Hope for family scarred by drug driver

Woman lost baby after being hit by drug driver
Told she'd probably never carry another baby
Thrilled at new pregnancy and driver's plea
LAST Christmas was the darkest day in Brodie Donegan's life.
Hit by a drug-affected driver while enjoying a morning walk, Ms Donegan lost her unborn daughter Zoe and was told she would probably never carry another child.
But as the woman responsible for the collision, Justine Hampson, pleaded guilty yesterday in Wyong Local Court, in NSW's Central Coast, Ms Donegan revealed she was again pregnant.
"I'm really happy we have some sort of closure coming up to Christmas," Ms Donegan, 29, said.
Wearing pendants cast from Zoe's tiny hands and feet, Ms Donegan and fiance Nick Ball said they thought about her "every day" and regularly visited her grave with their first child Ashlee, 3.
Ms Donegan was 32-weeks pregnant with Zoe - Greek for "life" - when she was struck metres from her Ourimbah driveway on the NSW Central Coast.

An expert's statement obtained by police from Dr William Allender said methadone and a cocktail of five other prescription drugs in Hampson's system would have impaired her ability to drive.
Hampson, 40, of Ourimbah, had a six-year-old child in her van and had overtaken another driver just before the collision.
After months of adjournments Ms Donegan and Mr Ball said yesterday they were relieved by Hampson's guilty plea to charges of driving under the influence of drugs and dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm.
Now 28-weeks pregnant, they are looking forward to the birth of their new child but said Ms Donegan's severe injuries meant she faced a complicated and nervous pregnancy.

"It's not going to be the best time of year for us right about now but it's good to get some closure," Mr Ball said.
The couple said they would continue to raise money for Royal North Shore Hospital and other charities in Zoe's name.
"Every day you see babies that would be about the same age and you think if life had continued on along a different path that would be us," Ms Donegan said.
"I'm glad she pleaded guilty because it will be a less drawn-out process.
"It is good to know she does feel some remorse or at least accepts responsibility.
"We're not necessarily going to get the justice for Zoe's life, I mean three or four years [jail] isn't really comparable to what her whole life would have been.
"But we've just got to try and get some recognition for Zoe's life in other ways."
Hampson will be sentenced in the District Court in February.

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Young Shire Councillor charged with drug and firearms offences

The Mayor of Young, Stuart Freudenstein says he is shocked and disappointed one of the shire's councillors has been charged in connection with the discovery of drugs and firearms.

John Laybutt was arrested in Young on Friday night for traffic offences.

Police say amphetamines were found in his vehicle and in a subsequent search of his house, it is alleged ectasy, a range of guns, ammunition and fireworks were also discovered.

Councillor Freudenstein says the news came as a surpirse.

"A shock, disbelief, disappointment all those words," he said.

"Anyway, council will be continuing on as business as usual and we naturally hope and I'm sure John Laybutt would be too, that it's resolved as soon as possible so people know where they stand and it doesn't drag on any longer than neccessary."

Mr Laybutt will be able to continue to serve on the council, despite being charged.

Councillor Freudenstein says there's no need for the councillor to step down from his civic role.

"My understanding of the Act is he can continue as long as he like through the legal process until if and when he's found guilty or convicted and sentenced, if that happens.

"So until then he can still continue on as a councillor and if he wishses to along the way he can resign like any other councillor can."

Councillor Laybutt is on conditional bail and is due to face the Young Local Court today.

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Hard drugs 'not mine': court

A former southern Tasmanian footballer has told the Magistrates Court in Hobart a quantity of hard drugs found at his home were not his.

37 year old Justin Richard Maynard has taken the stand to plead not guilty to a number of drug charges relating to a raid on his Rokeby home in August last year.

Police say they found four packages containing methylamphetamines, known on the street as speed, hidden in the tubing of a pool ladder.

They also allege Maynard had $30,000 cash in his possession when he was arrested.

Maynard today told the court his parents lent him the money to set up a garden maintenance business.

He said he had been meaning to take the cash to the bank, but he kept getting there after closing.

Maynard insisted the drugs were not his and he would take responsibility for them if they were.

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Police find steroids in raid on Sydney naval base

Steroids have been found in a police raid on Sydney's Garden Island naval base.

Defence has confirmed an intensive investigation is underway after details of a drug trafficking ring operating at the high profile, inner-city base was reported today.

The Department of Defence said its investigative arm, Australian Defence Force Investigative Service, led the raid along with civilian police.

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"It is too early in the investigation to confirm the nature of all of the substances seized to date, though it can be confirmed that steroids were found," Defence said in a statement.

"A range of substances and other items were seized and a number of defence personnel were tested for prohibited substance use.

"Investigations remain ongoing and it would be inappropriate for Defence to provide further comment until these investigations are completed."

SMH.COM.AU
 
Ice worth $14 million found in Sydney

Police have charged a Malaysian man after uncovering more than $14 million worth of the drug 'ice' in Sydney's south.

The AFP found 90 kilograms of the drug and $400,000 in cash during raids yesterday.

The 35-year-old is facing two charges of drug possession and one charge of dealing in the proceeds of crime.

He will face Sydney Central Local Court today.

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UPDATE and PICS.....

FEDERAL police have seized 90kg of the drug "ice" and almost $500,000 in cash in Sydney's southwest.

The drug, also known as crystal meth, is said to be worth $14.4 million.

A 35-year-old Malaysian man has been charged over the find and will be appearing at Sydney's Central Local Court on Wednesday.

Detectives arrested the man on Tuesday after a surveillance operation in the inner west suburb of Strathfield and seized about $300,000.

A subsequent search of the man's property in Blairmount near Campbelltown uncovered the drugs and a further $120,000.

Federal police are due to address the media about the find on Wednesday.

The Malaysian man faces charges of dealing in the proceeds of crime and drug possession offences.

The daily Telegraph
 
More than 300 arrests in crime crackdown

West Australian police have seized nearly 30 kilograms of drugs and shut down a dozen clandestine drug laboratories during a month-long crackdown on organised crime.

Operation Unification started in November with a national 'phone in' day, when the public was encouraged to call police with information about drug dealers.

Officers say the hotline recieved more than 900 phone calls.

The Assistant Commissioner, Nick Anticich, says police made more than 300 arrests and seized 23 guns and $140,000.

from here
 
Public tip off leads to drugs seizure

Police Assistant Commissioner Nick Anticich says a tip off has led to the seizure of five kgms of amphetamines in Western Australia.

The haul was part of Operation Unification, a national month-long crackdown on organised crime.

Across the country, police made more than 300 arrests, seized nearly 30 kgs of drugs, shut down 12 illegal drug labs and seized 23 guns and $140,000.

The operation started in November with a national 'phone in' day, when the public was encouraged to call police with information about drug dealers.

Police recieved more than 900 calls during the phone-in.

Mr Anticich says the success of the operation highlights the importance of information from the public.

"What was a very small piece of information, but nonetheless linked with other intelligence and ultimately led to that [drug] seizure," he said.

Here
 
Newcastle men admit role in major drug syndicate

Two Newcastle men will be sentenced next year after admitting their involvement in a major Hunter Valley drug network.

22-year-old Ashley Novotny and 27-year-old Natt Thornburn were among more than 20 people charged by detectives from Strikeforce Sloman.

They have admitted to being part of a drug syndicate that supplied tens of thousands of ecstasy tablets across the Hunter region last year.

In Newcastle Local Court yesterday Novotny pleaded guilty to two charges of supplying a large commercial quantity of a prohibited drug and knowingly dealing with the proceeds of crime.

Thornburn pleaded guilty to three charges of supplying an indictable quantity of a prohibited drug.

They will be sentenced in Newcastle District Court on February 3, 2011.

The Court was told another alleged co-offender Alex Thornton was unable to appear because he remains on life support in hospital.

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