Australian Ice Thread

[poledriver]

Port Stephens president of Bandidos pleads guilty to commercial drug supply

A senior bikie gang member from the New South Wales Hunter Valley has pleaded guilty to supplying a commercial quantity of a prohibited drug.

Ronald Dennis Leggett, 44, of Belford was charged in February 2015.

He was one of 10 men arrested by police attached to Strike Force Okanagan.

Police facts tendered to the court show officers began investigating the supply of drugs by the Bandidos outlaw motorcycle gang in Taree in August 2014.

Officers started extensive surveillance, as well as intercepting and recording telephone conversations and text messages.

Leggett is the president of the Bandidos' Port Stephens chapter, and today pleaded guilty to two drug supply charges.

Police facts show Leggett supplied 475 grams of methylamphetamine at Heatherbrae between October 2014 and February 2015, as well as another 52 grams in February 2015 at Belford.

He has also pleaded guilty to two charges of possessing an unauthorised pistol, as well as possessing an unauthorised and prohibited firearm.

Police say that firearm is a homemade single-shot pistol with a suppressor and shortened barrel.

Magistrate Ian Cheetham today committed Leggett for sentencing in the Newcastle District Court.

Ten other charges will be taken into account when sentencing proceedings start on March 17.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-...dos-omcg-pleads-guilty-to-drug-supply/7232998

 

[poledriver]

Media Release: Man charged for importation of liquid methamphetamine

A 23-year-old Chinese national has been arrested and charged in relation to the alleged importation of approximately 44 kilograms of liquid methamphetamine hidden in gel push-up bra inserts.

On 25 February 2016, Australian Border Force (ABF) officers examined a targeted consignment of 36 cardboard boxes containing packets of the bra inserts which arrived at the Port of Melbourne from China. Initial testing of a coloured liquid contained within the inserts returned a positive result for liquid methamphetamine.

The matter was referred to the Australian Federal Police (AFP) for investigation. A subsequent search warrant of the man’s Box Hill North residence was conducted during which police seized the 36 boxes.

The 23-year-old man was arrested and charged with importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, namely methamphetamine, contrary to Section 307.1 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth) and attempting to possess a border controlled drug, namely methamphetamine, contrary to Section 307.5 and 11.1 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth). These offences carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

AFP Commander Melbourne Office John Beveridge said police are investigating possible links with other operations where similar methods of concealment have been used to import other consignments of liquid methamphetamine.

“We will make every effort to seek out the organisers of this alleged importation in an effort to bring them to account for trying to exploit our community with this dangerous drug,” Commander Beveridge said.

ABF Regional Commander Victoria and Tasmania Don Smith said that this detection is yet another example that the methods used by the ABF to target illicit imports continues to return significant results.

“The ABF and the AFP continue to work together to disrupt these criminal syndicates and today is another example of this partnership’s success in protecting the Australian community”, Commander Smith said.

The man is scheduled to appear before the Melbourne Magistrates Court today (Monday, 7 March 2016).

Investigations remain ongoing and further charges have not been ruled out.

Note to editors: Footage and still images available from the AFP National Media team.

http://www.afp.gov.au/media-centre/...ged-for-importation-of-liquid-methamphetamine

 

[poledriver]

The drugs that allegedly got Jamie Gao killed

University student Jamie Gao had been missing for four days when police discovered two brown pillow cases and a green backpack under the seats of a white, Ford station wagon.

The car was parked in the basement of a Cronulla apartment block – where former policeman Glen McNamara was living.

Video footage has been shown to the NSW Supreme Court of a police officer dressed in a blue forensic suit as he searched the car on May 24, 2014.

Inside one of the pillow cases was a crystallised rock substance contained in two snap lock plastic bags.

In the other pillow case was a smaller amount of white crystals contained inside cling wrap.

Altogether the crystal-like substance weighed 2.78 kilograms and was later confirmed to be the drug known as ice.

The prosecution will allege this was the drug that Roger Rogerson and Glen McNamara stole from Mr Gao after he was shot dead inside a southern Sydney storage shed on May 20, 2014.

"[Jamie Gao] went to that meeting and went into that storage shed thinking that what was to happen would shortly make him very rich," Crown prosecutor Christopher Maxwell said in his opening address.

"Instead he was shot and killed and dragged to the back of the station wagon and dumped at sea."

Mr Gao's body was found off the coast of Cronulla on May 26, 2014.

Mr McNamara and Mr Rogerson have pleaded not guilty to murder and supplying a large commercial quantity of prohibited drugs. Mr Rogerson has also pleaded not guilty to an alternative charge of being an accessory to murder.

http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/the-drugs...gao-killed-20160314-gninsx.html#ixzz42uPEmVh4

 

[poledriver]

'Dob in a Dealer' launched across NSW

ELEANOR HALL: It started as a community program to address the escalating use of the drug, ice, in small towns in New South Wales and Victoria.

Now the 'Dob in a Dealer' campaign is being rolled out across New South Wales, as part of the Federal Government's crackdown on methamphetamine use.

Lucy Carter reports.

LUCY CARTER: The small town of Wellington in the central west of New South Wales developed the unfortunate nickname of 'Antarctica' because of the huge amount of ice being used by residents.

With a population of just 5,000 people, addiction and crime-related problems were causing issues for almost everyone in town.

Last year, Wellington police adopted a local 'Dob in a Dealer' policy.

ALISON CONN: We've been amazed at its success, as have the police.

LUCY CARTER: Alison Conn is the manager of the community group Wellington Information and Neighbourhood Services.

ALISON CONN: We've had over 100 reports go in through the Dob in a Dealer project and as a direct result of Dob in a Dealer we've had 15 arrests and they have actually varied.

It hasn't just been dealer arrests, it's been firearm offences, burglaries.

LUCY CARTER: She says the program has had a direct impact on drug use in the town.

ALISON CONN: The really important thing behind it Lucy, is not so much for us as a town arresting people, us as a town it's from saving some of our residents from using drugs.

And anecdotally we have seen that there are a number of people that no longer have access to drugs and no longer use drugs.

So that's been a fantastic result from our point of view.

LUCY CARTER: The success of the Dob in a Dealer program in Wellington and in parts of regional Victoria last year caught the interest of the Federal Government.

In August, the then-Prime Minister Tony Abbott announced $1 million of funding to be dedicated towards rolling the program out across Australia.

In New South Wales, that process is starting today.

Assistant Police Commissioner Peter Barrie is also a director of Crimestoppers New South Wales

I think we'll get a fantastic outcome, you know the community are very keen to assist police in identifying dealers in particular.

They understand the harm it's doing to their community, the harm it's doing to the individuals and family units.

And it strikes particularly hard in those smaller communities that perhaps don't have the support levels around them to assist.

LUCY CARTER: How does it work?

PETER BARRIE: Well simply where Crimestoppers are going to in New South Wales, 21 different locations, we are launching in Redfern today.

And we are working with the police and local communities and going to a number of different areas throughout that fortnight just to spread the message and essentially a simple one.

You can do something about this, call Crimestoppers, every little piece of information assists us and we've seen that the community are willing to do that.

You know we are getting some great results in terms of both the calls that we receive from Crimestoppers continuously increasing.

But also in the number of arrests and identification of these clandestine labs that are causing so much harm.

LUCY CARTER: And it is kept anonymous?

PETER BARRIE: Absolutely. So when people call Crimestoppers they have choices that they can make, if they wish to assist police in providing their details they can do that, sometimes that makes it a lot easier for our investigators to work with them in getting all the information they need.

But quite certainly they can do that anonymously as well.

So if they wish to remain anonymous the call taker will respect that and they will just assist them in getting the information to the police.

LUCY CARTER: Police say the Dob in a Dealer program is about making drug use and crime a local community issue.

Wellington's Alison Conn says she believes it will be effective on a larger scale.

ALISON CONN: If everybody embraces it as an individual community it will work very well in those individual communities. It's not a top down approach, it's a bottom up approach and that's what's really important. That's what works in communities today.

ELEANOR HALL: That's Alison Conn from Wellington Information and Neighbourhood Services ending that report from Lucy Carter.

http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2016/s4424430.htm

 

[poledriver]

State-wide "Dob in a Dealer" campaign to combat "ice" kicks off in Redfern today

Police and Crime Stoppers have today launched a new, state-wide campaign aimed at mobilising members of the public in the fight against the drug “ice” (crystal methylamphetamine).

The “Dob in a Dealer” campaign will be rolled out to 21 locations across NSW over the next six months, with the first being Redfern.

The campaign will run in each location for two weeks, during which police and Crime Stoppers will conduct intensive community-engagement activities.

These will highlight the important role members of the public have to play in helping police to shut down drug-manufacturing syndicates and arrest drug suppliers.

Local residents will be urged to contact Crime Stoppers, where they can anonymously report drug-dealing activities.

Data from the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research illustrate the burgeoning “ice” problem.

In the 36 months to September 2015, arrests for amphetamine possession soared by 75.3 per cent across NSW (up from 5,063 in 2013 to 8,876 in 2015).

Over the same time period, arrests for dealing/trafficking amphetamines in NSW increased 34 per cent (from 1,567 in 2013 to 2,099 in 2015).

There has also been a steady increase in the number of clandestine drug laboratories detected by police in NSW. In 2008 there were 55; by last year this had jumped to 106.

The “Dob in a Dealer” campaign will target criminals who are manufacturing and supplying ‘ice’, and even one phone call to Crime Stoppers can have an enormous impact.

In September 2012, a single, anonymous call to Crime Stoppers led to State Crime Command’s Asian Crime Squad – now known as the Organised Crime Squad – seizing 585 kilos of "ice" a few months later in February 2013.

Redfern Local Area Commander, Superintendent Luke Freudenstein, said "ice" is of serious concern to the community, particularly in areas where it has taken hold and is seriously impacting the lives of people who live there.

“This is certainly the case in my command. I want it to stop. The residents here want it to stop,” Supt Freudenstein said.

“The message we want to share today is the community can help us stem the flow of drugs by providing anonymous information about manufacturers and suppliers.

“If you feel bad about dobbing in drug dealers, let me remind you: they don’t care about you or your family; they don’t care if people become addicted, commit crimes to feed their habit, or overdose and die; they only care about the money they can make,” Supt Freudenstein said.

Crime Stoppers NSW CEO, Peter Price, said halting the spread of ‘ice’ requires a whole-of-community response.

“Crime Stoppers is committed to working with NSW Police, community leaders, local residents and the media to gather anonymous information that can help to reduce drug supply and drug-related crimes,” Mr Price said.

“After what we hope will be a fruitful start in Redfern, we’ll be taking this campaign to another 20 communities across NSW over the next six months, and asking everyone to join us in the fight against ‘ice’.

“We want members of the public to play an active role and tell us about criminals that are bringing harmful drugs into their region.

“Making a report to Crime Stoppers is completely confidential. You will never be identified or called up for a court case, but every piece of information you provide can help solve crimes and reduce supply,” Mr Price said.

If you think you have information about someone in your community who is manufacturing or supplying drugs, call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 for a confidential conversation or report securely online at www.crimestoppers.com.au.

The “Dob in a Dealer” campaign is funded by the Commonwealth Government.

http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/news/l...vdi5hdSUyRm1lZGlhJTJGNTMxOTcuaHRtbCZhbGw9MQ==

 

[poledriver]

Indigenous woman who died in WA police custody was 'exaggerating', inquest hears

A Western Australia senior police officer discussed with colleagues their belief an Aboriginal woman in custody was exaggerating her pain due to drug use, contradicting prior evidence heard at an inquest.

Ms Dhu, 22, whose first name is not used for cultural reasons, died two days after being locked up at Western Australia's South Hedland Police Station in August 2014 for unpaid fines totalling $3622, stemming from offences including assaulting an officer.

Ms Dhu, who was arrested on August 2, 2014, was to be detained at South Hedland Police Station for four days, as part of a scheme that saw participants trading fines for jail time.

During her stay, she complained of feeling unwell and was taken to Hedland Health Campus three times, only to be discharged due to “behavioural issues”.

Ms Dhu died on her third visit to the hospital from pneumonia and septicaemia owing to complications from a previous rib fracture.

The inquest into her death today heard Senior Constable Russell Tindall was a supervisor during Ms Dhu's second day in custody and testified on Wednesday that he spoke with colleagues about her after she died.

He could not remember details but said several officers might have been present when Ms Dhu was discussed.

Sen Const Tindall said some officers believed Ms Dhu had been exaggerating her pain and as a methamphetamine user, she might have been coming down from drugs.

Asked what he thought about her at the time, Sen Const Tindall replied: "My opinion was that she was OK. She was OK to be in custody."

His evidence contradicted the testimony of some officers who denied believing Ms Dhu was faking or exaggerating her illness.

Constable Tamara Perry, the lock-up keeper on the second day, also testified on Wednesday, saying she checked on Ms Dhu at the start of her shift and organised for her to have a shower.

She noticed scratches on Ms Dhu's back and they discussed her sore ribs, but Const Perry did not note anything in the system after discussing it with Sen Const Tindall.

Const Perry admitted it was the only time she could remember not recording in the system a detainee being in pain, but could not explain why.

She also spoke with Ms Dhu's partner and fellow detainee, Dion Ruffin, who complained about Ms Dhu's condition, saying: "Get her some help."

The officer said she told Mr Ruffin that Ms Dhu had already been to the hospital and had been deemed fit for custody.

“They wouldn't have cleared her if she wasn't OK," she told him.

Const Perry told the inquest she put her trust in doctors.

"They're medical professionals, I'm not," she said.

The officer denied disbelieving Ms Dhu was ill and said she offered to take her to hospital again if she needed to go, but Ms Dhu declined the offer.

Const Perry rejected the suggestion she had neglected with her duties.

Sen Const Tindall also trusted the medical professionals and said in hindsight they got it wrong.

The inquest continues.

http://www.9news.com.au/national/20...xaggerating-inquest-hears#plcYaSqQGsBI1kA9.99

 

[poledriver]

Two charged after meth concealed in windsurfer sails seized

This is a joint media release between the Australian Federal Police and the Australian Border Force.

Two women have been charged after allegedly attempting to import a quantity of methamphetamine in windsurfer sails yesterday (Sunday 20 March).

The 25-year-old woman and 24-year-old woman were selected by Australian Border Force (ABF) officers for a full luggage examination after they arrived at Sydney International Airport on a flight from Los Angeles yesterday.

The bags containing the windsurfer boards and sails were x-rayed and the officers noticed irregularities within the sail framework.

After further examination, the sail framework was found to contain a white substance which, when tested, returned a positive result for methamphetamine. Further testing will be done to determine the exact weight and purity of the drugs seized.

The matter was referred to the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and after further investigation, both women were placed under arrest.

They have both been charged with importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, namely methamphetamine, contrary to Section 307.1 of the Criminal Code (Cth) and are expected to face Central Local Court today (Monday 21 March).

http://www.afp.gov.au/media-centre/...ter-meth-concealed-in-windsurfer-sails-seized

 

[poledriver]

Man jailed over horrific glassing at Warilla Hotel

A 24-year-old man has been jailed for at least two-and-a-half years over a horrific, drug-fuelled glassing at the Warilla Hotel that left the victim with a 15cm neck wound.

Wollongong District Court judge Paul Conlon said had had “no idea” how the male victim was not fatally wounded the night Mitchell Bleimuth slammed a glass into his neck in an apparently unprovoked assault.

“Mr Bleimuth is fortunate he’s not facing a charge of murder, how it [the glass] missed the [victim’s] carotid artery I have no idea,” Judge Conlon said.

”It’s deplorable conduct.”

The court heard the victim and a friend were playing the poker machines around 8pm on March 6 last year when Bleimuth came and sat near them and began staring in their direction.

The victim went to the bathroom but on his return found Bleimuth standing in the entry doorway, holding a beer glass.

CCTV footage shows the pair having a brief but apparently civil exchange of words before Bleimuth launches into an unprovoked assault, punching the victim twice in the head with his empty left hand, then swinging his right hand, containing the glass, into the victim’s neck.

The pair wrestled for a short time before being separated by bar staff.

The victim was left with a 15cm-long, 3cm-deep cut to his neck which required specialist surgery.

Bleimuth received a deep cut to his hand in the dispute and attended Shellharbour Hospital later that night for treatment. He too required specialist surgery, which occurred on March 8.

He handed himself in to police on March 11 and has been in custody ever since.

In court, Bleimuth’s mother said her son had been in the grips of an ice addiction at the time of the assault.

“The ice was affecting his mind, his body, his whole life,” she said.

In handing down the sentence, Judge Conlon said there was a great need to “denounce and deter” such terrible behaviour.

He also found Bleimuth’s prospect of rehabilitation was “guarded”.

Bleimuth will have to serve a further 18 months on parole when he is released from custody in September 2017.

With video -

http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/...tence-for-horrific-pub-glassing-video/?cs=300

 

[poledriver]

Media Release: Man attempts to import meth in champagne

A 26-year-old Malaysian national is scheduled to appear in Perth Magistrate’s Court today, charged with attempting to import methamphetamine, suspended in champagne, through Perth International Airport.

On Saturday 26 March 2016, Australian Border Force (ABF) officers questioned a man who arrived on a flight from Malaysia and his luggage was subsequently examined. Two boxed 1.5-litre bottles of champagne were located, and it appeared the seal on one of the boxes containing the bottles had been broken.

ABF officers conducted a presumptive test of the bottle’s contents, which gave a positive indication for methamphetamine, commonly known as Ice.

Further testing will be undertaken to determine the exact weight and purity of the drugs seized.

The matter was referred to the Australian Federal Police (AFP), who arrested the man and charged him with attempting to import a marketable quantity of a border controlled drug, namely methamphetamine, contrary to subsection 307.2(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).

The maximum penalty for this offence is life imprisonment.

http://www.afp.gov.au/media-centre/news/afp/2016/april/man-attempts-to-import-meth-in-champagne

 

[poledriver]

Man caught with ‘ice’ down pants

Police raiding a Casino house on an unrelated matter caught a man with bags of ice (the chemical variety) down the front of his pants.

Police say they found the unexpected booty when they arrived at the Frederick Street property at 11.20am on April 1 with a search warrant for stolen property.

When the officers entered the house they saw a 44-year-old man whom they allege was trying to remove an object from the front of his pants.

He was stopped and searched with police locating a container with a number of small plastic bags inside. They contained a total of 7.3grams of methyl-amphetamine, police allege.

Two women aged 21 and 38 were also searched with 4.6 grams of cannabis and 0.3 grams of methyl-amphetamine being (respectively) seized.

The man was charged with supplying a prohibited drug.

He was refused bail to attend Lismore Local Court.

The women will be issued with a future court attendance notices for possessing a prohibited drug.

During the raid police also seized a number of electrical items allegedly stolen during a break-in at a neighbouring property two days before, including power tools, hi-fi equipment and a DVD player.

The investigation into the break and enter is ongoing with charges pending.

http://www.echo.net.au/2016/04/man-caught-with-ice-down-pants/

 

[poledriver]

Violent ice addict who left a nurse with permanent brain damage was kept in a coma for EIGHT days because staff were too frightened to treat him

The Blue Mountains timber worker, 38, has an extensive criminal history
He has been repeatedly admitted to Nepean and Hornsby hospitals
Security guards were forced to hold him down with eight restraints
Doctors used 'all the Valium in the hospital' to knock him out for eight days
Frightened staff are calling for him to be transferred in fear of their lives

Staff are calling for an ice addict to be removed from a Sydney hospital after he left a nurse with permanent brain damage, flipped a hospital bed, and threatened to kill staff and patients.
The 38-year-old Blue Mountains timber worker, who has an extensive criminal history and mental health problems, has been repeatedly admitted to Nepean and Hornsby hospitals over the past two months.
Security guards were forced to hold down the man with eight restraints and doctors kept him unconscious for eight days, using 'all the Valium in the hospital' to knock him out, a source told the Daily Telegraph.

Frightened staff are now threatening to quit their jobs unless he is transferred to Cumberland Hospital or Long Bay Correctional Centre.
'Someone will get killed sooner or later,' a staff member told the Daily Telegraph.
'He has already given a nurse at Cumberland Hospital permanent brain damage and broken another patient's femur. He's too much of a risk.'

As an inpatient in the past, the man allegedly assaulted people in the community, threatened to kill hospital staff and patients, and flipped a hospital bed in Nepean's emergency department.
Hospital documents reveal that the man has an 'extremely high risk of violence and assault', and has since been housed in the Western Sydney hospital's mental health high dependency unit after threatening staff on March 27.

'The management is not looking after staff,' the hospital source told the Telegraph.
'It is not right to have him in this hospital where lives are being threatened. He should never have come into this hospital in the first place. My colleagues are so distressed because they fear for their lives.'
On Tuesday a crisis meeting was held on how nurses and security guards should deal with the ice-affected patient.

This comes after a string of ice-related incidents, including a patient who shot security guard Barry Jennings, 48, and Senior Constable Luke Warburton in the leg at Nepean Hospital on January 12.
The number of ice-affected people admitted to NSW hospitals increased more than sevenfold between 2009 and 2014.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...staff-frightened-treat-him.html#ixzz45SiMvKDY

 

[poledriver]

NSW Police Force added 4 new photos.

2 hrs ·

Five people have been charged after police uncovered over seven kilograms of the drug ‘ice’ and over $1.25 million in cash in Zetland yesterday.

In January 2016, investigators from Redfern Region Enforcement Squad commenced Strike Force Diest, investigating the supply of the drug ‘ice’ by a man in the Sydney Metropolitan Area.
Following inquiries, about 5.15pm yesterday (Wednesday 13 April 2016), police arrested four men at an address on Cooper Lane, Zetland, also seizing 1kg of the drug ‘ice’.

At this time, police also executed a search warrant at an address on Wattle Street, Ultimo, arresting two further men at that address. During the search warrant police allegedly located 6kg of the drug ‘ice’, a loaded pistol, and over $1.25 million in cash.
The 7kg of ‘ice’ has an approximate street value of $700,000.

As a result of the investigation five men were charged and one was detained as an illegal immigrant:

- A 22-year-old man arrested at the Zetland address was charged with supply prohibited drug (large commercial quantity) and participate in criminal group. He was refused bail to appear at Central Local Court today (Thursday 14 April 2016).
- A 36-year-old man arrested at the Zetland address was charged with supply prohibited drug (large commercial quantity) and participate in criminal group. He was refused bail to appear at Central Local Court today (Thursday 14 April 2016).

-A 19-year-old man arrested at the Zetland address was charged with supply prohibited drug (large commercial quantity) and participate in criminal group. He was refused bail to appear at Central Local Court today (Thursday 14 April 2016).
-A 21-year-old man arrested at the Zetland address was detained as an illegal immigrant.

- A 24-year-old man arrested at the Ultimo address was charged with two counts of supply prohibited drug (large commercial quantity), deal in proceeds of crime, and participate in criminal group. He was refused bail to appear at Central Local Court today (Thursday 14 April 2016).

- A 29-year-old man arrested at the Ultimo address was charged with two counts of supply prohibited drug (large commercial quantity), deal in proceeds of crime, participate in criminal group, and numerous firearm offences. He was refused bail to appear at Central Local Court today (Thursday 14 April 2016).

NSFW:

 

[Jabberwocky]

Ice Ice Baby

 

[poledriver]

Victoria pledges another $57.6m to tackle ice problem

The Victorian Government has announced the second stage of its multi-million dollar ice package, which will see the drug court system expanded and training rolled out to frontline workers.

Key points:

Attorney-General says current system "isn't working"
Mental health facility to be set up in the Grampians for Ballarat community
Announcement follows $45 million pledged last year
The centrepiece of the $57.6 million package is a new drug court, based at the Melbourne Magistrates' Court, which will allow an additional 170 drug offenders to receive targeted support for their drug use.

It follows the success of a drug court in Dandenong and will provide extra rehabilitation beds and better services for Aboriginal Victorians.

The new funding follows $45 million pledged by the Government to tackle the drug last year.

Attorney-General Martin Pakula said the current system for dealing with drug users and offences is not working.

"The lack of effective sentencing options for serious drug-related offences has resulted in increased imprisonment rates, increased re-offending and a failure to address the underlying causes of addiction," he said.

"The drug court model is a sound and effective solution that gives offenders a better opportunity to turn their lives around."

Drug courts showing 'positive results'

Mental Health Minister Martin Foley said the new drug court system had shown positive results.

"What it does is place the interest of recovery above the interests of punishment," he said.

"It's had remarkable success and we intend to roll that model out around Victoria.

Ice action plan:

$32 million to expand the Drug Court of Victoria
$5.5 million for training and support for frontline workers
$6 million for Grampians mental health facility
$10 million to improve mental health, alcohol and other drug facilities
$4 million over four years to respond to ice in Aboriginal communities

"The support then leads to better outcomes as people both get their lives back together, get off the drugs and end their crime careers."

The package also includes $5.5 million for further training and support for frontline workers, and $10 million to improve mental health, alcohol and other drug facilities to improve patient outcomes.

An 18-20 bed mental health facility will also be established in the Grampians to serve the Ballarat community, at a cost of $6 million.

Health Minister Jill Hennessy said the training package will give skills and support to those working with ice users.

"If frontline workers are safer at work, they can do their job and save more lives," she said.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-04-16/victoria-announces-another-57.6-million-to-tackle-ice/7332032

 

[poledriver]

Woman charged and approximately 29kg of crystal meth seized

A 19-year-old Hong Kong national will appear before the Melbourne Magistrates Court today (Thursday, 14 April) charged with allegedly importing crystal methamphetaime (Ice) and ephedrine through the international air mail and air cargo stream.

Taskforce Icarus officers from the Australian Federal Police (AFP), Victoria Police and Australian Border Force (ABF) commenced a joint agency operation in November 2015.

ABF officers at the Melbourne Gateway Facility identified a suspicious importation which, upon examination, contained about one kilogram of crystal methamphetamine.

Between November 2015 and March 2016, a further three importations allegedly linked to the 19-year-old woman were identified, examined and found to contain approximately 28kg of crystal methamphetamine and 700 grams of ephedrine.

Yesterday (Wednesday 13 April), Officers from the AFP and Victoria Police executed a search warrant on a Docklands property where they arrested the woman.
She was charged with:

three counts of importing a commercial quantity of border controlled drug, namely crystal methamphetamine, contrary to section 307.1 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth);
one count of importing a marketable quantity of border controlled precursor, namely ephedrine, contrary to section 307.12 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth);
one count of attempt to possess a commercial quantity of methamphetamine, contrary to section 307.5 and 11.1 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth) .
The maximum penalty for these offences is life imprisonment.

AFP Commander Paul Osborne, Manager Crime Operations said the Task Force is working together to target criminal syndicates.
“Task Force Icarus will continue to target those who seek to take advantage of the international mail and air cargo systems to import illicit drugs”.

“Those seeking to bring these destructive drugs into Australia should be aware that our capabilities to detect and disrupt organised crime continue to grow, and we will not slow our efforts,” Commander Osborne said.

Victoria Police Commander for Crime Command Cindy Millen said illicit drug use and drug-related crime has a negative impact on our community and people involved face heavy penalties.

“Anyone who is involved in importing illicit drugs should be aware of the seriousness of these offences and that they could face life in prison.”

Acting Regional Commander Victoria and Tasmania, Glenn Scutts, said the examination of international mail yields a large number of detections of drugs and other prohibited goods each year.

“This work contributes to maintaining the security of Australia’s border and the safety of the Australian community,” Commander Scutts said.

“ABF officers work tirelessly in combating illicit drug importation to ensure these dangerous drugs do not reach the Australian community.”

Task Force Icarus is a joint agency initiative that targets those who seek to use the international mail and air cargo systems for criminal activity.

http://newsroom.border.gov.au/releases/woman-charged-and-approximately-29kg-of-crystal-meth-seized

 

[poledriver]

Struggle Street family want ice-addicted son jailed

The Kennedy family were the gritty stars of SBS reality television series Struggle Street, with the family's difficulty in dealing with ice-addicted son, Corey, being one of their central struggles.

Now, Corey Kennedy is back on television for all the wrong reasons.

After becoming involved in a high-speed police pursuit, the 26-year-old is actually hoping the court system throws the book at him - so that he can finally conquer his ice addiction once and for all.

"They put the sirens on I freaked and took off," Kennedy told A Current Affair. "Because I was stupid and weren't thinking straight."

Once again, he was high on ice during the high-speed pursuit - the second one he has been involved in.

"Even before the show, since I was 18, I've been on ice," he said.

"All it's done is cause me dramas."

Father Ashley and step-mother Peta are at their wits-end.

"It bothers me because I reckon he will end up stabbing someone one day," Ashley told A Current Affair.

"He's a nightmare out there, you know, he snaps. You see these people where they've been on ice and they wake up and stab their mother or father, well that's what I think is going to happen here one day, because he has no control over himself."

"Whether it be jail or whether it be rehab, he needs something."

When the lights were switched off and the cameras packed up, nothing changed on Struggle Street. Lots of things were said and lots of promises were made to the family, but they say nothing came of it.

Peta says a few doors opened for them after appearing on the show, but they were unable to afford the entry charges.

"I got a couple of things lined up but it takes money, it's like $600," Peta told A Current Affair. "I don't have the money. If I had it, I'd put him in rehab."

The reality television family is asking for some real reality from the court system, "for the community's sake".

"I don't want him hurting anybody else, I don't want him to go to jail for murder. I don't want to see him in the gutter with a pin in his arm. I don't want him to effect other people's lives like he has effected mine," Ashley said.

"It's hard for a man to say he's better off with his son in jail."

Mr Kennedy returns to court next month.

Video at http://www.9news.com.au/national/20...et-family-want-son-gaoled#csvGGirljM83IoyO.99

 

[slimvictor]

^ that is a really sad situation.
Too bad they can't get help for their son other than jail.
Society gives limited options.

 

[poledriver]

NSW Police Force

7 mins ·

A state-wide campaign aimed at mobilising members of the public in the fight against the drug “ice” will today arrive in Campbelltown Local Area Command (LAC).

The “Dob in a Dealer” campaign has been initiated and funded by the Commonwealth Government, and is currently taking place in states and territories across Australia.

In NSW, the campaign is being held in 21 LACs across the state over a six-month period between March and September 2016.

It will run in each LAC for two weeks, during which police and Crime Stoppers will conduct intensive community-engagement activities.

These will highlight the important role members of the public have to play in helping police to shut down drug-manufacturing syndicates and arrest drug suppliers.

During the campaign, Campbelltown LAC residents will be urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via the online portal, where they can report drug-dealing activities anonymously.

While members of the public are encouraged to report any prohibited-drug activity via Crime Stoppers, the focus of the “Dob in a Dealer” campaign is “ice” (crystal methylamphetamine).

Data from the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research illustrate the burgeoning “ice” problem.

In the 36 months to September 2015, arrests for amphetamine possession soared by 75.3 per cent across NSW (up from 5063 in 2013 to 8876 in 2015).

Over the same time period, arrests for dealing/trafficking amphetamines in NSW increased 34 per cent (from 1567 in 2013 to 2099 in 2015).

There has also been a steady increase in the number of clandestine drug laboratories detected by police in NSW. In 2008 there were 55; by last year this had jumped to 106.

Don't snitch.

 

[kytnism]

i can only imagine how many cracked out girlfriends of dealers embroiled in an argument with their s/o will make that call. as well as users that are refused credit/feel ripped off etc. 8(

...kytnism...

 

[poledriver]

The truth about ice

Trying ice doesn't always equal addiction

People who regularly use ice (crystal methamphetamine), such as on a daily basis, can quickly become dependent on it. However, most people who use ice use it less than weekly and are not dependant. Crystal methamphetamine is actually less addictive than heroin, cocaine, tobacco, alcohol or benzodiazepines.1

The strength of ice varies, making it easy to take too much

It's difficult for someone using ice to know how much to take as the purity of the drug could be anywhere between around 20% and 70%. Having such a large range of strengths of the drug available on the market at the same time means that it's easy to take too much and then experience negative side effect. The strength of other drugs available on the black market often vary, but they usually do so over time making it easier for someone to know how much to take.2,8

Not everyone who uses ice becomes violent and aggressive

Everyone responds to drugs differently. 'Ice psychosis' is a potential result of both high and frequent use of ice. This condition is characterised by paranoid delusions, hallucinations and out of character aggressive or violent behaviour. The symptoms usually disappear a few days after the person stops using ice.3

Alcohol is causing the most harm in Australia – not ice

Alcohol is the most widely used drug in Australia and accounts for the most deaths and hospitalisations in the country compared to other drugs. Alcohol caused 5,554 deaths and 157,132 hospitalisations in 2010. In comparison, in 2011 there were 101 deaths associated with methamphetamine.4

Australia is not in the midst of an 'ice epidemic'

The number of Australians using methamphetamines isn't increasing, but of the people who already use these drugs more are using the stronger form, which is ice, rather than speed or base. This could be because the purity of 'ice' available in Australia has increased. As a result, more harm is being experienced for the person using the drug (negative side effects) and the community around them (antisocial behaviour, family breakdown).5,6

Scare tactics don't work

There is no evidence that crystal methamphetamine causes physical deformities. Campaigns depicting ravaged 'meth faces' are exaggerating the side-effects of ice. These extreme images are more likely to be related to poor sleep habits, dental hygiene, and diet – due to being dependant on the drug for a long time – than the crystal methamphetamine itself. Some people who use ice do pick at their skin and therefore develop facial scabs. However, there may be no visible signs that someone is using the substance, including if they are using it regularly.

Research into health promotion techniques has shown that using 'meth face' images in campaigns aimed at preventing people from using or continuing to use ice doesn't work. This research has also found this technique stigmatises people who use the drug.3

There is treatment available for people with ice problems

A range of treatment options are available for crystal methamphetamine use, including counselling, rehabilitation, self-help and family support. However, even when a person using ice is motivated to quit, it can be a difficult task and relapse rates are high.6

People generally get ice from someone they know

Over 60% of Australians who use ice get it from a friend and 30% get it from a dealer.5

Methamphetamine is not a new drug

Methamphetamine was first synthesised from ephedrine (a form of amphetamine), in Japan in 1893. It was widely used in World War Two when Japan, Germany and the United States provided the drug to military personal to increase endurance and performance. In 1941, methamphetamine was sold over the counter and advertised as a product to 'fight sleepiness and enhance vitality'.6

- See more at: http://www.druginfo.adf.org.au/fact-sheets/the-truth-about-ice#sthash.XR0qZuNS.dpuf