NSW North Coast - Police seize gun, drugs and replica firearm
NSW North Coast - Police seize gun, drugs and replica firearm
Police in the State’s north have arrested three people after finding drugs and a loaded firearm in a home, meanwhile a man has been arrested after allegedly brandished a replica firearm on a bus.
About 5.25pm yesterday (Wednesday 14 March 2012), a 20-year-old man boarded a bus in Byron Bay allegedly armed with a replica pistol.
It is alleged that while on the bus he produced the replica gun, threatening two people and then indicated to a third person he had a firearm secreted down his pants.
Police were contacted and intercepted the bus on Tamar Street Ballina.
Officers allegedly found a replica firearm hidden under a seat near where the man had been sitting.
It also alleged that when searching the man’s bag, they located property believed to be stolen.
The man was arrested and taken to Ballina Police Station, where he was charged with possessing an unregistered firearm, possessing an unauthorised firearm, using intimidation/violence to unlawfully influence person and having goods in personal custody suspected of being stolen.
The 20-year-old man from Claymore was refused bail and appeared before Ballina Local Court today (Thursday 15 March 2012).
In a separate incident, about 8.10am today (Thursday 15 March 2012) police executed a search warrant at a home in Oak Avenue, Casino, where it is alleged they seized a loaded semi-automatic Beretta pistol and a quantity of cannabis.
A 20-year-old man, a 34-year-old woman and a 16-year-old girl were arrested and taken to Casino Police Station.
The 20 year-old man was charged with:
- Possess unauthorised pistol
- Possess ammunition without holding licence/permit/authority
- Not keep firearm safely – pistol
- Use unauthorised pistol
- Buy ammunition for firearm without licence/permit
- Buy unauthorised pistol
- Possess prohibited drug.
He was refused bail and will appear in Lismore Local Court tomorrow (Friday 16 March 2012).
The 34-year-old woman and 16-year-old girl were charged with possessing a prohibited drug.
They were granted bail and the woman will appear before Lismore Local Court on 3 April 2012, while the 16-year-old will appear before Casino Children’s Court on 18 April 2012.
$900,000 fine for Australia’s largest importation of kava
$900,000 fine for Australia’s largest importation of kava
A Tongan national male was sentenced, on Friday 9 March 2012, in the NSW Supreme Court for the illegal importation of almost four tonnes of kava into Australia with an estimated street value of over $2.5 million.
The Tongan national was fined $900,000 for illegally importing kava and making a false statement under the Customs Act 1901 (Cth).
“This is the largest seizure of kava in Australian history and it was a very significant find by Customs and Border Protection officers,” said Kingsley Woodford-Smith, Customs and Border Protection National Manager, Investigations.
“This detection has protected the people in our community from four tonnes of this potentially harmful substance,” said Mr Woodford-Smith.
The operation commenced in November 2008, when Customs and Border Protection officers targeted a consignment for examination at the Port Botany Container Examination Facility. The consignment, from Tonga was declared as ‘frozen vegetables’ however officers identified inconsistencies in the bags of vegetables. Upon further examination, it was discovered that many of the bags contained kava.
Kava is a shrub belonging to the pepper family, Piperaceae with the root or stump of the shrub contains kavalactones, which have sedative and muscle-relaxant effects. Excessive use of kava
is associated with a number of health-related problems including loss of muscle control, shortness of breath and irreversible kidney and liver damage as well as negative physiological and social impacts.
Cannabis worth $4.3 million seized during Mid North Coast raids - Strike Force Hyperi
Cannabis worth $4.3 million seized during Mid North Coast raids - Strike Force Hyperion
Police have seized cannabis with a potential street value of more than $4.3 million during the Mid North Coast leg of the 2011/2012 Cannabis Eradication Program.
Strike Force Hyperion comprises detectives from the Drug Squad’s Cannabis Team, with assistance from the NSW Police Air Wing, Police Dog Unit and local area commands from the Northern Region.
Since late last year, officers have been raiding crop sites on private properties and Crown land throughout the North Coast.
That included this week’s raids on the Mid North Coast, where a total of 2154 plants were seized and destroyed.
That brings the total plants seized during the 2011/12 program to 10,174, with an estimated potential street value of more than $20 million.
Drug Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent Nick Bingham, said the 2011/12 program had so far achieved its objective of disrupting the cannabis supply chain in NSW.
“Cannabis with a potential street value of over $20 million has not made it on to the streets of NSW this year, meaning decreased availability and increased prices for illicit drug consumers,” Det Supt Bingham said.
"We are finding that growers are altering their methods to try to hide from police, with a move towards smaller crop sizes to try to avoid detection by the police helicopter, but as the results of this program have shown, it's no deterrent to us.
"Our methods combine a range of intelligence-based policing strategies with pro-active patrolling which remain highly successful in targeting illegal outdoor cannabis crops.
"Partnered with the NSW Police Force's ongoing work to detect indoor hydroponic cannabis, this program will continue to put a major dent into the availability of this illicit drug to the streets of NSW."
The Cannabis Eradication Program has been running since the mid-1980s with the NSW Police Force preventing a quarter of a billion dollars worth of cannabis reaching NSW streets.
Four arrested; drugs, firearms and cash seized - Gangs Squad
Four arrested; drugs, firearms and cash seized - Gangs Squad
Gangs Squad detectives have arrested four men following investigations into drug manufacture and an altercation involving alleged associates of the Hells Angels and Comanchero outlaw motorcycle gangs (OMCG).
Cash, drugs, firearms and an inactive clandestine drug laboratory have also been uncovered during the series of raids in Sydney’s south-west earlier today.
Strike Force Reference was established by the Gangs Squad to investigate the suspected manufacture of prohibited drugs.
During that investigation, police became aware of an altercation at Bringelly on Thursday 15 December 2011, where a man was allegedly assaulted by three men. A firearm was discharged during the incident, but it is not believed anyone was shot.
Following extensive inquiries, detectives executed six simultaneous search and crime scene warrants at addresses at Bringelly, West Hoxton, Austral and Moorebank just after 9am today (Wednesday 21 March 2012).
Two men, aged 33 and 38, were arrested at the warrants at Bringelly and West Hoxton, while a 27-year-old man was arrested at Parramatta.
The first two men were taken to Green Valley Police Station, while the third man was taken to Parramatta Police Station.
A fourth man was arrested this afternoon after attending the Moorebank address. He has been taken to Liverpool Police Station.
During the search warrants, police seized two firearms, ammunition, amounts of substances believed to be methylamphetamine or ‘ice’ and a large sum of cash.
An inactive clandestine laboratory, used to manufacture prohibited drugs, was located at Austral, with further chemicals and equipment located at Moorebank. The Drug Squad’s Chemical Operations Team is providing assistance.
The arrested men remain in custody and detectives anticipate laying a number of charges.
Man charged with multiple drug and firearm offences - Rouse Hill
Man charged with multiple drug and firearm offences - Rouse Hill
A man will appear at Blacktown Local Court today (Wednesday 21 March 2012) after being arrested and charged with multiple drug and firearm offences yesterday.
About 7pm on Tuesday police executed a search warrant at a Guntawong Road, Rouse Hill address.
Allegedly two hydroponic set ups were located with fifty cannabis plants, more than 800g of cannabis leaf, cannabis seeds, satchels of amphetamine and a .22 calibre BSA air rifle with ammunition.
As a result a 31-year-old man was arrested and charged with cultivate cannabis greater than indictable and less than commercial quantity, supply a prohibited drug, possess prohibited drug x 2, possess unregistered firearm, possess ammunition without holding licence and not keep firearm safely.
The man was bail refused and will appear at Blacktown Local Court today (Wednesday 21 March 2012).
Alleged OMCG member to face drug, firearms charges - Middle Eastern Organised Crime S
Alleged OMCG member to face drug, firearms charges - Middle Eastern Organised Crime Squad
An alleged high-ranking member of the Hells Angels Outlaw Motorcycle Gang (OMCG) will face court today on drug and firearms charges.
About 11.30pm on Friday 13 January 2012, officers attached to the Middle Eastern Organised Crime Squad (MEOCS) Highway Patrol stopped a vehicle on the Hume Highway, Campbelltown.
Inside the vehicle, police located a loaded .45-calibre firearm and a large sum of cash.
The four male occupants of the car denied ownership of the weapon and were allowed to leave pending further inquiries.
Following forensic examination of the gun, MEOCS detectives attended a residence in Harris Street, Merrylands, about 2.40pm yesterday (Tuesday 20 March 2012).
A 26-year-old man – one of the men involved in the original vehicle stop – was arrested at the address and taken to Merrylands Police Station.
During a subsequent search of the man’s house, police seized 470 grams of cannabis. Detectives also allegedly located an amount of cannabis in the man’s car.
The man was charged with possess unauthorised pistol; possess unregistered firearm; not keep firearm safely; possess ammunition without licence/permit; knowingly deal with proceeds of crime; possess prohibited drug; and supply prohibited drug.
He was refused bail to appear at Fairfield Local Court today.
Police will allege the man is a high-ranking member of the Hells Angels OMCG.
Officers from New England Local Area Command have charged a man with a number of serious drug offences after executing a search warrant.
Shortly before midnight on Tuesday, police conducted a search of a premise in Verna Close in Armidale with the assistance of a drug detection dog.
Inspector Rod Shoesmith, from New England Local Area Command, says an arrest was made following a tip-off from the public.
“A man, who is 24, and resides at that residence was present during that search warrant and he was arrested,” he said.
“We’re alleging that he was the owner of the 400 ecstasy tablets and 700g of cannabis.”
Inspector Shoesmith says a number of charges have been laid and the man has appeared at Armidale Local Court.
“He’s been charged for a number of offences in relation to supplying of prohibited drugs and there was also a sum of money which we are alleging are the proceeds of that crime.”
Members from ACT Policing’s Drug Investigation Team have seized a quantity of illicit substances after a search warrant was executed on a vehicle in Dickson yesterday afternoon (20 March).
During the warrant, police located and seized a quantity of an illicit substance suspected to be heroin, with an estimated street value of $3,000. Also seized during the warrant was a small quantity of an amphetamine type substance, prescription medication and a sum of cash.
Police conducted a second warrant at an address in Watson where drug paraphernalia and a number of mobile phones were seized.
The 45-year-old Watson woman who resides at the house is expected to be summonsed to appear in court at a later date.
Sharon Armstrong is vowing to fight her conviction after being sentenced to nearly five years in jail for attempting to smuggle nearly 5kg of cocaine out of Argentina.
The 54-year-old said she was staying strong and positive about surviving her nightmarish ordeal.
Speaking from her prison cell in the Ezeiza 31 women's jail, just outside Buenos Aires, Armstrong said yesterday: "I'm okay, I'm okay."
Her grasp of Spanish was "better", she said, and she was able to converse with fellow prisoners.
She added: "I promised that I would only issue statements through our spokeswoman Glenda Hughes. I am very grateful for the support she has given our whanau."
Last month, Armstrong was convicted of trying to smuggle cocaine after being duped in a sophisticated internet honeytrap sting.
A judge accepted she had no clue the drugs were in her suitcase - but that was not enough for her to be cleared.
Armstrong has spent nearly a year in an Argentinian jail and will be eligible for parole in late 2013. In a statement, her family said they would appeal against the verdict.
Armstrong was stopped at Ezeiza International Airport with 5kg of cocaine in her suitcase last April.
The former Maori Language Commission boss arranged to fly to London to meet a man after months of online exchanges - she agreed to fly via Argentina to pick up some "paperwork" for him.
Her mystery boyfriend, believed to be an African man who had claimed to live in London, and alleged accomplices have not been found. Argentinian media reported Armstrong's lawyer produced evidence at her trial of South American gangs specialising in love stings.
The family statement said: "Since receiving the decision the family has taken some private time to deal with the outcome and decide whether to proceed with an appeal.
"Following consultation with their Argentinian legal team, which confirmed their belief that the decision should be appealed, they have decided to fund an appeal against conviction.
"The family are resolute in their belief that Sharon is not guilty; they accept she made a foolish error in agreeing to carry the suitcase which was later found to have cocaine concealed inside but they know that she would not become involved in any form of criminal drug activity."
Cocaine, with a street value estimated at $2.5 million, was seized at the Port of Napier this week.
Customs officers intercepted 5kg of the Class A drug, which was concealed inside a refrigeration unit attached to a container, aboard the ship Cap Manuel on Tuesday night.
Initial testing of the powder substance showed a positive match for cocaine.
Customs manager drug investigations Mark Day said: "There has been an increasing prevalence of cocaine in illicit drug markets internationally and New Zealand is seen as part of those markets."
The ship, which had previously called at Lyttelton, left port at 8pm that day, its eventual destinations being Japan and China.
The cocaine was tightly packed into a bag, which is understood to have been discovered during a servicing of the container motor which had broken down.
The motors are essential in keeping the contents of the container cool and are regularly checked.
The find was immediately reported to port authorities and Customs officers notified.
The bag was taken from the ship by Customs to the No4 container storage shed where it was examined with assistance from members of the specialised police team.
Detective Inspector Ross Pinkham, the Eastern Police district manager of criminal investigation, said Customs and police were currently conducting a joint investigation to determine the origins of the packages and the background to the movements of the container.
"A conservative estimate places the street value of the drugs at nearly $2.5 million," he said.
The Napier cocaine stash is the third major seizure of the drug in the country this year.
On February 6, a 29-year-old American man was arrested at Auckland International Airport after Customs officers uncovered an estimated $1 million of the drug in two bottles of tequila.
The man arrived with little money and no plans for what he was going to do while in the country - raising suspicions.
Customs said it was the man's third visit to New Zealand in six months and that the amount of cocaine seized indicated he had some sort of network in place.
The man has yet to appear in court.
In early March, Customs staff at Auckland International Airport came across 2kg of cocaine.
Four men were arrested in relation to the haul after a joint operation between Australian and New Zealand Customs and police.
It was believed the cocaine stash was passing through New Zealand to be forwarded on to the lucrative Australian drug scene.
Australian Customs officers had seized about $18 million of cocaine, suspected to have been linked to the arrested men.
SINGAPORE :: CNB seize over 2kg of heroin, 460g of cannabis
SINGAPORE :: CNB seize over 2kg of heroin, 460g of cannabis
The Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) arrested a drug trafficker and seized about 2.56kg of heroin and 460g of cannabis in a targeted operation on Friday.
The drugs have an estimated street value of more than $400,000. Over $10,500 in cash was also seized from the 47-year-old male suspect.
The suspect was wanted by the CNB and was suspected to be distributing heroin and cannabis in the northern part of Singapore.
He will be investigated for drug trafficking and if convicted, he may face the death penalty.
Police have seized nearly $4 million worth of cannabis following raids in south-eastern suburbs in Melbourne this morning.
The drug squad found 1,500 plants following raids at 12 properties at Dandenong, Springvale, Carrum Downs, Clarinda and Mulgrave just before 7:30am (AEDT).
Six people were arrested, including a 42-year-old woman and a 72-year-old man who are assisting police with their inquiries.
Constable Kane Taylor says the raids follow an investigation into the suspected cultivation and distribution of cannabis in the Dandenong area.
"To seize such a large quantity of cannabis plants and equipment used in the cultivation process is pleasing because it means fewer drugs on our streets," he said.
"This operation has put a huge dent in the growing of cannabis in the south-eastern suburbs and has prevented a large quantity of cannabis from entering our community."
Two Chinese nationals aged 27 and 49 are scheduled to appear in Melbourne Magistrates Court today charged with importing approximately 24 kilograms of methamphetamine into Australia.
On 20 March 2012, Australian Customs and Border Protection officers examined an air cargo consignment which arrived in Australia from Hong Kong, addressed to a residence in Melbourne.
The consignment contained four boxes of plastic toys, beads and stones.
Further examination revealed six bags of a white crystal substance concealed in the boxes. The substance presumptively tested positive for methamphetamine.
The matter was referred to the Australian Federal Police (AFP) for further investigation.
AFP Forensics confirmed the crystal substance to be methamphetamine with a total weight of approximately 24 kilograms.
On 26 March 2012, the AFP conducted a controlled delivery to a residence in Richmond, Melbourne. Following the delivery, the AFP charged the two men with the following:
• Importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, namely methamphetamine, contrary to section 307.1 of the Criminal Code Act 1995,
• Attempting to possess a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, namely methamphetamine, contrary to Section 307.5(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995.
The maximum penalty for this offence is life imprisonment and/or an $825,000 fine.
Three men are set to appear in Wollongong court after police seized more than 5,000 ecstasy tablets during drug raids.
Strike Force Laloki has been underway since January this year.
During an undercover operation on Thursday, three men aged 30, 23 and 21 were arrested in a Wollongong car park, allegedly in possession of 4,000 ecstasy pills.
During another raid in Shellharbour ecstasy tablets, ICE and cash were retrieved.
Wollongong Crime Manager Detective Inspector Tim Beattie says the drugs were destined for the streets.
"It was operation that ran for the last three months and its one of many operations run in the Wollongong area focused on the illicit drug trade", he said.
"And certainly there's no doubt the drugs seized by police during this operation were destined for the streets of Wollongong".
Police say during the investigation police have seized over $40,000 in cash and drugs with an estimated street value of $120,000.
Police seize almost half a kilo of methamphetamine
Police seize almost half a kilo of methamphetamine
A former member of the Comancheros bikie gang has appeared in Perth Magistrates court charged with possessing nearly half a kilogram of methamphetamine.
Police allege 27-year-old Nicholas Piccollo was also in possession of unlicensed ammunition, an unlicensed firearm and a butterfly knife when detectives from the Gang Crime Squad raided his home in Balga on Thursday.
He is also alleged to have been in possession of a stolen motorcycle.
Mr Piccollo was not required to enter a plea and has been remanded in custody to reappear in court in mid April.
Police have seized cannabis and other illegal substances worth more than $40,000 during a drug dog operation on the state’s far north coast yesterday.
Officers from Richmond Local Area Command implemented ‘Operation Overhaul’ to target illegal drugs and traffic offences between Lismore and Nimbin.
Police dogs were used to search vehicles stopped at the two sites on Nimbin Road and Koonorigan Roads from 1.30pm to 9pm yesterday.
During the operation police seized 1.12 kilograms of cannabis worth $13,000 and 44 grams of white powder, believed to be illegal drugs, worth in excess of $30,000.
Police charged seven people and issued seven cannabis cautions.
When officers stopped two daily tourist buses and searched the passengers they allegedly located six cannabis cookies and two grams of cannabis.
The traffic side of the operation saw police conduct 500 random breath tests with ten drivers issued infringement notices.
Police from Richmond Local Area Command are planning to conduct similar operations targeting illegal drugs in the near future.
Police arrest major drug dealer called Mr Reliable
Police arrest major drug dealer called Mr Reliable
AN eastern suburbs cocaine dealer who allegedly dealt exclusively to rich, high-end clients - including a major Australian rockstar - has been arrested following a six-month investigation by police.
The man was arrested on March 7 following a series of raids on his house at Darling Point and a luxury apartment in The Rocks.
Known as "Mr Reliable", police will allege the former stockbroker was the go-to man for a swag of A-list clients, many of whom were senior figures in banking and finance.
For legal reasons, The Sunday Telegraph cannot reveal the man's identity or that of his alleged clients.
Some have already been interviewed by investigating police since his arrest, with the inquiry ongoing and further charges being examined.
Police believe his biggest client was an Australian musician who is a household name across the country.
The man was able to remain off the police radar by allegedly dealing to a closed and exclusive circle of buyers, many of whom also included middle-aged housewives and young models.
Police will allege his operation included fielding calls for cocaine on his mobile and then leaving the desired amounts inside agreed locations, such as payphones, around the city.
It's understood police will claim a large proportion of his client base were women.
Detectives kept him under surveillance since October 2011 and have now charged him with 30 counts of drug supply. It is believed the vast majority of his dealings occurred on Friday nights.
When they eventually searched his Darling Point house they allegedly found more than 2.5kg of cocaine and a further 2kg of cannabis.
His rented car contained 127 individual "deals" of cocaine, police will claim.
The man is currently in custody and will appear in court again later this year.
Police have likened the bust to that of Richard Buttrose, who is serving a 13-year jail term for cocaine supply in the eastern suburbs in 2009. Buttrose provided police with a list of his A-list clients in exchange for a reduced sentence.
Man charged after drugs, cash seized in vehicle stop - Central Coast
Man charged after drugs, cash seized in vehicle stop - Central Coast
A man will face court today on a string of charges after police seized cash and drugs during a vehicle stop on the state’s Central Coast.
Tuggerah Lakes Highway Patrol officers stopped a white Toyota Camry near a service station on the F3 at Warnervale just before midday yesterday (Saturday 31 March 2012).
Inquiries by police revealed a 39-year-old Punchbowl man, who was a passenger in the car, was wanted on an outstanding warrant.
A subsequent search of the vehicle allegedly uncovered quantities of white rock substance and methylamphetamine, approximately 150 MDMA (ecstasy) tablets and a significant sum of cash.
The drugs have an estimated potential street value of up to $60,000.
The man was arrested and taken to Wyong Police Station, where he was charged supply prohibited drug, possess prohibited drug, possess/attempt to possess prescribed restricted substance, goods in custody and the outstanding warrant.
He was refused bail to appear in Wyong Local Court today (Sunday 1 April 2012).
Meanwhile, it’s expected the man’s 26-year-old wife – who was behind the wheel of the Toyota when it was stopped by police – will be charged with driving whilst suspended.
A former member of the northern Tasmanian chapter of the Rebels Motorcycle Club has been convicted of drug trafficking, but has avoided a jail term.
In the Supreme Court in Launceston, David John Batge pleaded guilty to trafficking.
The 46-year-old is one of 10 people associated with the Rebels Motorcycle Club who were charged after police seized almost $300,000 worth of methyl amphetamine in a series of raids in Launceston last year.
The court heard Batge delivered two ounces of the drug to the Rebels clubhouse in Kings Meadows.
Police also discovered a package of the drug hidden in Batge's car as he and the then Rebels president were driving to Hobart last year.
Batge was sentenced to four months in prison, wholly suspended.
Three of his co-accused have denied similar charges and will appear in court at a later date.
