The Aus/NZ/Asian Drug Busts Mega-Thread El Número Cuatro

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19 to face court after Gold Coast drug busts

Fourteen men and five women arrested in drug raids on the Gold Coast are due to appear in court today.

Ten of those arrested are due to face charges of drug trafficking.

Yesterday's dawn raids at Surfers Paradise, Southport, Labrador, Oxenford, Paradise Point and Coombabah marked the end of a six-month investigation.

Detective Inspector Tim Trezise says two separate drugs syndicates have been targeted since last August.

"In addition to ecstasy and amphetamines we've also seized quite a bit of cannabis and a number of firearms as well," he said.

He says guns, a pill press and locked safes were also seized during operations Juliet Altitude and Kilo Pelt.

Detective Inspector Trezise says it will be alleged one of the accused gambled more than $1 million at Jupiters Casino.

He says there is no suggestion the alleged syndicates were linked to outlaw motorcycle gangs on the Gold Coast.

Those charged are due to appear before the Southport Magistrates Court.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-06-06/19-to-face-court-after-gold-coast-drug-busts/4054608

 

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Drug arrest, Burpengary

A 25-year-old man is due to appear before the Caboolture Magistrates Court on several charges including drug possession.

It will be alleged the man was intercepted by police after he was observed driving at high speed on Joyce Street, Burpengary around 3pm yesterday.

Upon interception Police had to detain the man after he allegedly became irate.

The man later admitted to possessing a dangerous drug and a subsequent search of his premises located a large quantity of drugs, money and utensils.

The Burpengary man has been charged with one count each of possess schedule 1 drug, possess dangerous drug, possess utensils, possess thing used in connection with smoking dangerous drug, possess proceeds of crime, possess restricted weapon, unlicensed driving an obstruct police.

He was bailed and issued with a Notice to Appear in court later this month.

http://qpsmedia.govspace.gov.au/2012/06/05/drug-arrest-burpengary/

 

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Closure of drug operation – Gold Coast

The Gold Coast Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB) today closed two long running drug operations – Juliet Altitude and Kilo Pelt.

Detective Inspector Tim Trezise from Gold Coast CIB said that both operations utilised a range of overt and covert investigative strategies.

“The focus of the operations was to investigate two organised drug syndicates allegedly selling amphetamines and other drugs on the Gold Coast.

“Detectives executed more than 20 search warrants on premises located in Southport, Surfers Paradise, Labrador, Oxenford, Paradise Point and Coombabah.

“Various quantities of drugs have been seized today and during the course of the investigation.”

Sixteen people have been charged with drug offences as a result of today’s raids, including ten with drug trafficking.

http://qpsmedia.govspace.gov.au/2012/06/05/closure-of-drug-operation-gold-coast-2/

 

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Devonport seizures

Western District Criminal Investigation Branch, Western Drug Investigation Services and uniform police from Devonport Division conducted a search of a residence in Ronald Street Devonport on Friday 1 June 2012. Members of the Dog Handlers Unit, Bomb Response Group as well as Western District Support Division and Western District Forensic Services assisted in the search which lasted most of the day and involved high visibility police activities around the residence.



During the search police seized about four and a half ounces of amphetamine type substances (believed to be ‘speed’ and ‘ice’) with a street value of more than $100,000, a semi automatic pistol, two high calibre rifles, ammunition, a quantity of prescription medication, cannabis, implements used in the administration of drugs, an explosives detonator, a large quantity of jewellery as well as a four native reptiles.

43 year old Mark Raymond Roland appeared at a special sitting of the Devonport Magistrates Court at 9pm on Friday 1 June 2012 charged with aggravated sexual assault, trafficking in controlled substance, possess a controlled drug, using a controlled drug, possessing a controlled plant or its products, possess thing used for the administration of controlled drug, possess a firearm when not the holder of a firearm licence of the appropriate category and unlawful possession of property. Roland was remanded to appear again today (Monday 4 June 2012) at 2.15pm and was granted bail to appear on 20 June 2012.

Commander Avery said “The investigation into this matter has been conducted over several weeks and the seizures today have justified the investment thus far; however the investigation has not concluded as a result of the result on Friday and will continue.”

The male person has connections with Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs on the North West Coast.

http://www.police.tas.gov.au/news/posts/view/2991/devonport-seizures/

 

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Drug dealers arrested – Northfield

A man and woman will appear in court tomorrow on drug trafficking charges after they were arrested today at Northfield with over 2000 street deals of illicit drugs allegedly in their possession.

This morning Western Adelaide plain clothes officers stopped a man driving a BMW on Hampstead Road at Clearview. A search of the car allegedly located 10gms of methamphetamine equivalent to about 100 street deals.

Police then searched the man's house at Northfield revealing a further 190gms of methamphetamine (1900 street deals) and 20gms of heroin equivalent to 200 street deals. Just over $23,000 cash was also found at the house.

The 42-year-old man from Northfield and a 42-year-old woman from Kilburn were both charged with trafficking a controlled drug, unlawful possession and breach of bail. They have both been refused police bail and will appear in the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court tomorrow.

Police encourage members of the community to contact and assist police in reporting any suspicious criminal or illegal drug activity.

http://www.sapolicenews.com.au/more-news/8256-drug-dealers-arrested-northfield.html

 

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Drugs and guns seized in western suburbs raids

Cannabis plants, other drugs and two handguns were seized in raids conducted by police on Saturday.


Operation Mantle officers from the Western Adelaide Local Service Area searched houses in the western suburbs, and seized a total of 53 cannabis plants, along with amounts of ecstasy, methamphetamine, steroids and hydroponic equipment.

A 24-year-old man from Torrensville and a 22-year-old woman from Findon were arrested and charged with drug offences. They were both granted police bail, and will appear in the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court at a later date.

Anyone with information regarding the possession, manufacture and sale of illegal drugs is asked !@#^%$@^

http://www.sapolicenews.com.au/more-news/8247-drugs-and-guns-seized-in-western-suburbs-raids.html

 

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Huge heroin haul found in shipping container

FIVE people have been charged after a shipping container holding 20kg of high-grade heroin was discovered in Brisbane.
Police say the drugs, concealed inside sports bags, were smuggled from Thailand and may have been bound for Sydney or other Australian cities.

Senior detectives seized the container on May 29 and arrested five alleged members of a distribution syndicate in Sydney yesterday after raiding seven properties on the city's west and southwest.

During the raids police uncovered 2.6kg of the drug ice, a further 1kg of heroin and a substantial amount of cocaine and cash.

A 49-year-old Belfield man and two other men, aged 55 and 52 from Mount Annan, appeared in Sydney courts today charged with conspiracy to import a commercial quantity heroin.

Two men, aged 66 and 64 from Narellan Vale, also appeared in Sydney courts charged with attempting to traffic heroin.

The arrests were made after a seven-month surveillance investigation involving the Australian Federal Police (AFP), NSW Police, the NSW Crime Commission and Customs.

Crime Commission Commissioner Peter Singleton called it a "textbook" example of how to catch serious criminals.

"The Crime Commission's role was one essentially of intelligence analysis," he said in Sydney.

"We've managed to identify persons of interest, intercept telephones and ultimately we were able to identify a shipping container containing illicit drugs."

The street value of the narcotics remains unclear.

The drugs travelled through a number of countries before arriving in Australia.

Police have not ruled out further arrests either in Australia or overseas in connection with the seizure.

AFP Sydney manager Brian McDonald said heroin seizures had been relatively rare in recent months and the high Aussie dollar may be playing a role in attracting smugglers.

"I think it would be fair to say that heroin has not been the drug of choice that we have seen," he added.

"... Certainly, I think the market in Australia does make us attractive to organised crime, to bring illicit drugs into this environment."

Police were unable to say how long the alleged distribution syndicate had been operating in Australia or what other drugs it may have been smuggled into the country.

Customs' director of enforcement operations Judy Egan said over the past 12 months her organisation and the police had seized 2.7 tonnes of illicit drugs and precursor chemicals.

"I wouldn't say that happens on a daily basis, but we're certainly making detections right across air and sea cargo streams," she added.

http://www.news.com.au/national/huge-heroin-haul-in-shipping-container/story-e6frfkvr-1226387722271

 

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Police seize drugs and firearms during vehicle stop - Kendall

Police on the state’s mid north coast have arrested and charged a man after seizing guns, ammunition and drugs during a routine vehicle stop at Kendall.

About 11am yesterday (Thursday 7 June 2012), police from Mid North Coast Local Area Command stopped a car on Kew Road, Kendall, and spoke with the teenage driver.

A subsequent search of his vehicle allegedly uncovered three rifles, a large amount of ammunition and almost 600g of cannabis.

The 19-year-old man was taken to Port Macquarie Police Station and charged with possess prohibited firearm, possess unregistered firearm, possess ammunition, not keep firearm safe and supply prohibited drug.

He was refused bail to appear in Port Macquarie Local Court

http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/news/m...nb3YuYXUlMkZtZWRpYSUyRjIzNzAzLmh0bWwmYWxsPTE=

 

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Cocaine car nabbed in inner Sydney

Police have charged a man after allegedly seizing 250 small bags of cocaine from his car in inner Sydney.

Officers stopped the 39-year-old's four-wheel drive on William Street in Woolloomooloo just after 9:40pm (AEST) on Tuesday.

They then allegedly found the cocaine, which police say would be worth nearly $40,000 on the street, plus $20,000 in cash.

An amount of amphetamine was also allegedly found in the man's possession.

The man has been charged with two counts each of possessing and supplying a prohibited drug and one count of dealing with proceeds of crime.

He will remain in custody until his first court appearance in August.

Yesterday police searched the man's home at Wakeley, where they say they seized methylamphetamine and steroids.

Police say they expect to lay further charges in court.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-06-07/cocaine-car-nabbed-in-inner-sydney/4057148

 

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Five charged over heroin in sports bags shipment

Police say they have smashed a Sydney heroin smuggling ring, by arresting five men and seizing 20 kilograms of the drug.

The men, aged between 49 and 64, were arrested in raids in Sydney's south-west yesterday.

They have been charged with conspiring to import and trying to traffic heroin.

Police say the drugs were found in a shipment of sports bags from Thailand.

The New South Wales Police Force and the state's Crime Commission have been investigating the syndicate since October, with help from the Australian Federal Police and Customs and Border Protection.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-06-07/five-charged-over-heroin-in-sports-bags-shipment/4058238

 

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Drug lab 'glut' in far north Qld

Far north Queensland police have shut down four drug labs in the past week.

Three people have been charged after police uncovered four separate clandestine labs in Mareeba and Cairns.

Inspector Peter Mansfield has urged residents to keep an eye out for suspicious activities and chemical smells.

He says drug labs can be extremely dangerous.

"The devices can become explosive and quite unstable and if they're not handled correctly, they can pose that sort of danger to other people in nearby houses ... etcetera," he said.

Inspector Mansfield says while clandestine labs are a concern, police do not believe they are on the rise.

"In an overall sense, there's no more have been located than in previous years, so if you're looking at it in totality, it's not anything out of the ordinary," he said.

"It's probably just that we've had a glut in the last week or so."

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-06-08/drug-lab-glut-in-far-north-qld/4059518

 

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Man in court over drug offences - Parramatta

A man will appear in court today (Monday 11 June 2012) charged with numerous drug related offences.

Shortly after 9pm yesterday (Sunday 10 June 2012) police spoke with a man at a unit in Pitt Street, Parramatta.

Police will allege the 38-year-old became aggressive towards police and was arrested.

Police seized numerous items from the unit to be forensically examined including green vegetable matter believed to be cannabis, almost 500 tablets believed to be ‘Ecstasy’ and a bag containing a crystalline powder believed to be ‘ICE’. A digital scale, cash and glass pipe was also seized.

He was taken to Parramatta Police Station and charged with supply prohibited drug, five counts of possess prohibited drug, possess/attempt to, prescribed restricted substance and deal with property suspected proceeds of crime.

The 38-year-old Parramatta man was refused bail to appear in Parramatta Bail Court today.

http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/news/m...nb3YuYXUlMkZtZWRpYSUyRjIzNzM5Lmh0bWwmYWxsPTE=

 

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Police find more than 200 cannabis plants in home

POLICE have found more than 200 cannabis plants growing inside a four bedroom "home" in Chester Hill today.

At about 8.15am police entered the brick home armed with a search warrant and found 251 plants growing in all 4 rooms and also the garage.

The raid was part of Operation Zambesi which has seen more than 119 “hydro houses’’ raided in the past 18 months in south-western Sydney.

Police have seized more than 114,000 plants with a street value of around $46 million and 48 have been charged in relation to growing a prohibited substance.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/ne...s-plants-in-home/story-e6freuy9-1226394468884

 

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12 people arrested in Queensland in relation to drug and firearm offences

Australian Federal Police (AFP), Australian Customs and Border Protection Service and Queensland Police have arrested 12 people as part of a joint agency investigation into drug importation in northern Queensland.

These arrests are part of a national crackdown on the importation of illicit drugs through the postal system, particularly analogue or synthetic drugs. These chemically created substances aim to mimic other illicit substances, giving users the same effect. Since March 2012, 37 people have been arrested (including these latest arrests) in relation to this ongoing operation.

In the past few days, authorities have conducted four search warrants in Mount Isa, seizing more than 8.7 kilograms of synthetic cannabis as well as weapons and cash.

12 Mount Isa residents have been charged with a range of offences relating to the seizures, and are scheduled to appear before the Mt Isa Magistrates Court on 2 July 2012.

Northern Regional Drug Squad Townsville Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Brad Phelps said the rise in the use and popularity of synthetic drugs in North Queensland is of major concern to Queensland Police.

“This operation has highlighted the prevalence of these drugs in our community. The QPS will continue to work in co-operation with our law enforcement partners to target persons involved in the importation and distribution of these drugs in Queensland,” Sergeant Phelps said.

Health authorities say ‘designer’ drugs pose a serious health risk to the community.

Dr Lucy Burns of the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre stated that many of these synthetic drugs have chemical profiles that are unknown and may have significant adverse health effects.

“Reported harms include heart palpitations, symptoms of anxiety and agitation. Psychosis and very erratic behaviour have also been reported,” Dr Burns said.

AFP Manager of Crime Operations Peter Sykora stated that the high frequency, low volume nature of these drug imports poses a considerable threat.

“These imports contribute towards supplying the Australian market and exacerbate social problems within Australia associated with drug harm,” Commander Sykora said.

“The high income derived from these drugs and the relative low risk to offenders means that this kind of crime has the potential to explode in the community.”

Customs and Border Protection National Manager Cargo Operations Jagtej Singh warned that the public should not think that small amounts of illegal imports will go undetected.

“Customs and Border Protection takes the importation of all illegal substances seriously. Regardless of the quantity we have tools, techniques and procedures to intercept illegal drugs coming into the country,” Mr Singh said.

Further arrests have not been ruled out and investigations remain ongoing.

http://www.afp.gov.au/media-centre/...in-relation-to-drug-and-firearm-offences.aspx

 

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Drug ring 'smashed' in capital - police

A "sophisticated, commercial" drugs ring worth millions was smashed overnight in a police raid, ending a five-month sting operation.

The Wellington Drug Squad seized hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of cannabis and made five arrests in the raid, dubbed Operation Foxy.

As a result of six search warrants executed last night between Newtown and Kilbirnie, a 68-year old woman and 47-year old man will appear in the Wellington District Court today, charged with cultivating and selling cannabis.

Police also recovered close to 14 kilograms of cannabis and around $40,000 in cash.

Three more people were also arrested for possession of cannabis last night but have been bailed to appear in court at a later date.

"Police have severely impacted the cannabis supply chain in our community. This syndicate was responsible for millions of dollars worth of drugs flowing into our community and causing damage to many," Wellington District Organised Crime Manager Detective Inspector Darrin Thomson said.


Operation Foxy saw police spending five months investigating the activities of a well-organised, sophisticated commercial drug syndicate supplying tens of thousands of dollars of cannabis each week.

Mr Thomson said: "This group was firmly entrenched in an illicit commodity business that has now been dismantled by police.

"We have been gathering evidence of the assets accumulated by this syndicate over a period of time and our asset recovery unit is in the process of restraining several million dollars worth of residential property and cash."

Police believe the group had been operating for a number of years and their wealth accumulation was directly related to the ongoing supply of cannabis in the Wellington district.

Mr Thomson added: "Cannabis continues to be a harmful substance on a number of fronts.

"One being the drain on our health system as it is the leading illicit drug involved in hospital admissions, and the other being that purchasers often divert income from other every day necessities required to support their families.

"Operation Foxy should send a clear message to those involved in such activity that if you are accumulating wealth, we will pursue all possible avenues in holding you to account and seize any assets gained from that activity."

- APNZ

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10813212

 

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Failed drug trafficker jailed

A man involved in an interstate drug trafficking network has been sentenced in the Adelaide District Court to eight years in jail.

Christopher Joseph Parise, 49, had pleaded guilty to two counts of trafficking and one of cultivating cannabis.

Judge Paul Rice found the man obtained the cannabis and twice organised couriers to take it interstate.

After police foiled the first attempt, Parise organised the second drug shipment to be hidden in bags of potting mix.

Authorities then found more than 400 plants at his Morphett Vale property.

The court heard that, fearing reprisal for his failures, Parise spent a year on the run.

The judge said Parise was hard-working, cunning and his actions were greedy.

He was given an eight-year sentence with a five-year non-parole term.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-06-15/parise-drug-trafficking-jail/4072248

 

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Five to face court accused of drug trafficking

Police have charged five people with drug trafficking after a series of raids in Bendigo.

Homes in Golden Square, Kangaroo Flat and central Bendigo were searched on Monday and Tuesday.

Three men aged 22, 20 and 19 are among those charged, along with two women aged 42 and 23.

A third woman was charged with drug use and possession.

All are due to face the Bendigo Magistrates Court at a later date.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-06-15/five-to-face-court-accused-of-drug-trafficking/4072480

 

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Drug Dog Operation Stark targets drug possession and supply - Hornsby

Two people have been arrested and seven charges laid following the execution of a drug dog warrant in Hornsby yesterday.

Operation Stark was initiated in June by the proactive team attached to the Kuring Gai Local Area Command.

Police identified the need to undertake an operation targeting drug possession and supply in the Hornsby CBD, local railway stations and licensed premises.

About 4pm (14 June) 16 police attached to the Kuring Gai Local Area Command, with the assistance of specialist drug dog police and officers attached to the Transport Command, executed the warrant.

As a result of the operation two people were arrested, seven charges were laid and 37 people were searched.

Police also made seven drug detections, issued two cannabis cautions, patrolled six licensed premises and executed one conviction warrant.

About 5.30pm (14 June) police also stopped and searched a 29-year-old man on a train at Hornsby railway station.

He was allegedly found to be in possession of stolen clothing and cosmetics and was subsequently charged with 2 counts of receiving as well as an outstanding warrant.

http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/news/m...nb3YuYXUlMkZtZWRpYSUyRjIzNzk1Lmh0bWwmYWxsPTE=

 

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Woman charged with drug offences - Euston

A woman has been charged after drugs and cash were allegedly located in a house in the state’s far south yesterday.

About 3pm (Thursday 14 June 2012), police from Deniliquin Local Area Command attended a house in Perry Street, Euston and executed a search warrant.

Police will allege that during the search they located more than 2.5 kilograms and $38,000.

The drugs have an estimated potential street value of $40,000.

The 62-year-old woman was arrested and taken to Euston Police Station where she was charged with supply prohibited drug, deal in proceeds of crime and goods in custody.

She was given conditional bail to appear at Balranald Local Court on Wednesday 4 July 2012.

http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/news/m...nb3YuYXUlMkZtZWRpYSUyRjIzNzkyLmh0bWwmYWxsPTE=

 

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Drug charges, Torbanlea

Police have charged a 45-year-old Torbanlea man following the execution of a search warrant overnight.

Police will allege that during the search, laboratory equipment and drug paraphernalia was located at a Melinda Road property.

The 45-year-old has been charged with one count each of possession of dangerous drugs, possession of utensils, producing dangerous drugs and other drug charges.

He is due to appear in Hervey Bay Magistrates Court on July 12.

http://qpsmedia.govspace.gov.au/2012/06/14/drug-charges-torbanlea/