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

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Woman gets 9 months' jail for supplying Ritalin

A 36-year-old Cromwell woman has been sentenced to nine months' jail on six charges of supplying and offering Ritalin, the drug used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and narcolepsy.

Kaylene Joan O'Brien, appeared before Judge Stephen O'Driscoll in Alexandra District Court yesterday. She received a reduced sentence because of her guilty plea to the charges of supplying the class B controlled drug to two 14-year-olds and two 17-year-olds, as well as a 41-year-old, between December 26 and February 29.

The offending occurred when O'Brien was looking after two of the children while their mother was in hospital, and came on the heels of a previous five-month home detention sentence for supplying another class B controlled drug, stolen from her grandparents.

"It's disappointing you are back before the court on further drug-related matters," the judge said.

O'Brien was also ordered to continue with alcohol and drug counselling for six months after release from prison and that she undertake any other treatment recommended by her probation officer.

Cannabis

Asta Hine Korako Grant, 29, of Cromwell, was sentenced to five months' home detention for possessing cannabis and possessing cannabis for supply between May 14 and June 18.

After police found 25 “deal bags" of cannabis, with a street value of $50 each, in her handbag and bed during a house search, Grant admitted she had been dealing for four to six weeks to make extra money.

The judge said her co-operation " was to her credit" and that it indicated remorse "and acceptance that you've been stupid".

He ordered that she leave court to immediately begin to serve her community sentence at her Cromwell address, where she would wait for a probation officer. Grant would also carry out 200 hours of community service, concurrently with her sentence. "I hope you learn from this and don't get involved with cannabis in any way again."

Drink-driving

Cyris Thomas Fletcher Manuera Mihaki, was sentenced to six months' jail for his third drink-driving offence. Mihaki was appearing for drink-driving, driving while disqualified and breaching a community sentence.

His lawyer, Kieran Tohill, asked the judge to take into consideration that in the previous drink-driving incident, on June 22, his client was just over the limit when he blew 444mcg, and "made a mistake" by thinking he was capable of driving himself and his workmates home.

The judge said that at the age of 21, with 21 previous convictions, and an earlier conviction in March, it was the fourth time Mihaki had appeared before court this year.

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"This time, you need to hear the prison door closing behind you to know that you have offended."

His two-month sentence for driving while disqualified would be served concurrently with the six-month drink-driving sentence, and the remaining month of his community sentence that he had breached was cancelled. He was also disqualified from driving or owning a vehicle indefinitely.

- © Fairfax NZ News

http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/news/7714198/Woman-gets-9-months-jail-for-supplying-Ritalin

 

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Pair arrested over drug raids

POLICE have seized steroids, hydroponic cannabis equipment, ammunition and a pill-making machine during house raids in the northern suburbs.

`A Gulfview Heights man and woman, both aged 33, were arrested following the raids on houses at Gulfview Heights and Paralowie yesterday afternoon.

The electricity meters at both properties had been tampered with.

Detective Inspector Derryn Phillips said it was not clear how long the operation had been running.

"Its difficult to say how long it's been going on for, but we would expect something like this would provide an impact on the industry," she said.

"It's an industry that is typically set up for weight lifters and body builders and has a black market in the gymnasium industry."

The pair will face court at a later date charged with production of a commercial quantity of controlled drugs, possessing prescribed equipment, manufacturing a prescription drug, possessing a prescribed drug, theft of electricity, unlawful possession and insecure ammunition.

Police warned the possession or manufacture of steroids without a prescription or licence is an offence and carries a fine of $10,000 or imprisonment of two years.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/ne...-over-drug-raids/story-fndo2izk-1226478960556

 

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Asbestos scare for cops at WA drug lab

Police officers assisting firefighters at an alleged clandestine drug lab in Perth's east have possibly been exposed to asbestos.

On Thursday morning, police were called to help at a house fire in Maddington and found items that could be used to manufacture methylamphetamine.

The house was made of asbestos and six police officers may have been exposed to the potentially deadly fibres.

They were put through a decontamination process at the scene, police said.

A 24-year-old man has been charged with attempting to manufacture a prohibited drug and will appear before Armadale Magistrates Court on a date to be announced.

http://bigpondnews.com/articles/Nat...tos_scare_for_cops_at_WA_drug_lab_797486.html

 

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$1.2m of ice found by anti-bikie police

Police have charged a man they allege has links to the Hells Angels, after seizing $1.2 million worth of the drug ice in Sydney's south-west.

The 41-year-old West Australian man was pulled over by Strike Force Raptor detectives early this morning on the Hume Highway at Douglas Park.

Police say they found two kilograms of crystal methylamphetamine inside the car.

They allege the drugs were bound for Western Australia.

The man was refused bail to appear in Campbelltown Local Court today.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-09-24/2412m-of-ice-found-by-anti-bikie-police/4277290

 

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Drug texts put addict in prison

Text messages offering to sell a "terrible" and "evil" drug has landed a Christchurch man in jail.

Neihana James Manawatu, 27, was sentenced in Blenheim District Court on Friday to two years and three months' prison for offering to supply methamphetamine.

He also received a one-year jail term for offering to supply cannabis and a month's imprisonment on each charge of possessing cannabis and possessing cannabis utensils. The sentences will run concurrently.

He admitted the charges.

The court heard how Manawatu sent several text messages, between October and November, offering to supply the class A and class C drugs while living in Kaikoura.

Crown prosecutor Sophie O'Donoghue said there were at least 15 text messages referring to the supply of cannabis.

Terminology used in the texts made them difficult to decipher, she said.

Defence lawyer Mike Hardy-Jones argued that 15 text messages didn't necessarily mean 15 different quantities of drugs.

Two text messages related to one $100 bag of methamphetamine, he said.

Manawatu was offering to supply to friends in order to feed his own drug habit, Mr Hardy-Jones said.

"There are two types of commercial operation," he said. "One where an addict needs to supply to feed his own habit and the other where the person is in it for money."

His client was supplying to a circle of users rather than the wider community, the lawyer said.

Ms O'Donoghue said it was still commercial dealing of both class A and class C drugs.

Mr Hardy-Jones said Manawatu had since moved out of Kaikoura and was drug free.

He found work as a fisherman in Blenheim before losing that job, and had since moved to Christchurch to work in the construction industry.

Mr Hardy-Jones asked Judge Tony Zohrab to consider a community-based sentence so Manawatu could continue with his successful rehabilitation and reintegration into society.

Judge Zohrab accepted that the offending stemmed from addiction and was not for profit.

However, the actions of Manawatu perpetuated the addiction and suffering of others, he said.

"Supply could not happen in our community if not for people like yourself," he said.

He called methamphetamine a "terrible" and "evil" drug.

The maximum penalty for offering to sell methamphetamine was 14 years in prison, Judge Zohrab said.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-express/news/7720978/Drug-texts-put-addict-in-prison

 

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Illegal German tourist Carlo Konstantin Kohl, 24, admits to drug trafficking when charged over property offences

A YOUNG Bavarian tourist went on a crime spree to raise $25,000 to cover a drug debt he incurred by misplacing about 1000 ecstasy tablets he had been trafficking, a court has been told.

German national Carlo Konstantin Kohl, 24, was before Brisbane's Supreme Court on Thursday for sentence on more than 30 charges - including his role in the theft of $165,000 worth of opals from Coober Pedy, in South Australia.

Kohl also pleaded guilty to trafficking ecstasy and cannabis over a three year period and engaging in a violent home invasion during which he threatened to shoot and kill his victim.

The court was told Kohl, from Munich in southern Germany, was illegally in Australia and aged between 18 and 21 when he committed the 34 offences between June 1, 2007, and June 23, 2009.

The Courier-Mail in June last year revealed Kohl's sentencing hearing had to be delayed when international police investigators - Interpol - alerted Queensland authorities the young German had a European criminal record.

Prosecutor Michael Lehane told the court Kohl did have a history of crimes committed in Germany, as well as offences committed in Victoria.

Mr Lehane said Kohl's drug trafficking was only revealed when the illegal tourist confessed to police while they interviewed him about numerous property offences, including a number of break-ins and the home invasion.

The court was told Kohl revealed his role as a drug courier to explain why he needed to steal property in a bid to pay off a $25,000 drug debt.

Mr Lehane said Kohl told police he needed money after being threatened by his supplier after the disappearance of an estimated 1000 ecstasy tablets.

He said Kohl also admitted his role in illegally transporting a large quantity of stolen opals into Queensland as well as stealing numerous passports and altering or tampering with them for his personal use.

Lawyers of Kohl said the distraught young tourist "went off the rails" after learning about the death of his father in 2006.

Barrister Sarah Thompson, for Kohl, said her client had been subjected to extreme violence while in custody in Queensland - suffering a fractured jaw, nose and cheekbone during an assault by two prison inmates.

The hearing before Justice Jean Dalton, SC, continues.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/ne...roperty-offences/story-fndo2iwh-1226482640332

 

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Man who had cocaine sent to dog avoids jail

A former Hobart nightclub owner who had $15,000 worth of cocaine sent from an interstate dealer to his dog has avoided jail.

Samuel John Morse, 26, paid a Melbourne-based dealer to post two ounces of cocaine in two lots to his Kingston home addressed care of his dog.

The Supreme Court in Hobart heard Morse split the first ounce and its cost between himself and three friends and intended to do the same with a second ounce, but police intercepted it.

Justice David Porter raised concerns about whether he could convict Morse of trafficking when he had not intended to sell the drug.

But the prosecution successfully argued the exchange of money and distribution of the drug among his friends was trafficking.

Morse was fined $1,500 and sentenced to five months in jail, wholly suspended on the condition he be of good behaviour for two years.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-09-27/nightclub-owner-jailed-over-cocaine-deals/4282862

 

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Police charge brothers over cannabis haul

PHOTO: The drugs have an estimated street value of more than $500,000. (Police Media)

Two Perth brothers have appeared in court charged with possessing cannabis with an estimated street value of more than $500,000.

Police say they pulled the pair over yesterday near Eucla and allegedly discovered more than 60 kilograms of cannabis in a metal container in the tray of their ute.

It is alleged William Robert Proudfoot and Harold Frank Proudfoot were transporting the drugs into WA from South Australia.

They appeared in the Kalgoorlie Magistrates Court via video-link from Eucla this morning, charged with possession of the drug, with intent to sell or supply.

They were refused bail and are due to face court again next month.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-09-27/eucla-drug-haul/4284308

 

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Drug allegedly hidden in KFC box in Casula

A MAN was caught buying amphetamines hidden in a Kentucky Fried Chicken box, police alleged yesterday.

Police were at the KFC in Casula when they saw Kye Adams, 32, of Gulgong, passing another man a small box about 12.15pm on Saturday.

Police allegedly found four clear plastic containers filled with a white paste inside a KFC box when they searched Adams' car.

He was charged with supplying prohibited drugs and possessing a prohibited drug. He was refused bail to appear in Campbelltown Local Court on October 10.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/ne...fc-box-in-casula/story-e6freuy9-1226484856399

 

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Drug boss Mokbel ordered to pay $4m

Convicted drugs boss Tony Mokbel has been ordered to pay the State of Victoria more than $4 million from the proceeds of his crimes.

Mokbel is serving a minimum of 22 years in jail after pleading guilty to running a multi-million-dollar drug empire between 2005 and 2007.

He appeared at the Supreme Court via video link from Barwon Prison on Thursday, where he agreed to the confiscation of his assets valued at more than $4,058,000.

The amount was earlier set at $4.3 million, but assets seized from members of his drug syndicate known as 'the Company' have been taken off the bill.

Prosecutors used accounting records seized from an associate of Mokbel's to work out how much he should pay.

Authorities are unlikely to get the money, because Mokbel will not get out of jail until he is at least 67 and most of his legal bills have been paid by Victoria Legal Aid.

He will remain in debt to the state.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-09-28/drugs-boss-mokbel-ordered-to-pay-244m/4286170

 

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Former bikie jailed for drug trafficking

A Canberra drug trafficker caught selling methylamphetamine outside a Braddon church earlier this year, has been sentenced to three and a half years jail.

Alfio Licciardello, 47, pleaded guilty to four charges, some dating back to 2010 when he was arrested for heroin trafficking and possessing a replica 9 millimetre pistol.

The other charges were laid in March after he was caught with more than 6 grams of methylamphetamine in clip seal bags ready for sale.

A search of two properties uncovered more drugs, $31,000 in cash and a Taser on his kitchen bench.

Chief Justice Terence Higgins told the ACT Supreme Court, Licciardello had a long history of drug use.

He was a member of a motorbike gang where he said they had alcohol and amphetamines for breakfast.

But Justice Higgins told the court, Licciardello's drug dealing was largely to support his own habit.

Licciardello has been given a non-parole period of 18 months.

He has already spent 270 days in custody.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-09-28/canberra-drug-trafficker-jailed/4285940

 

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Drugs seized at Melbourne Airport

Customs and Border Protection officers at Melbourne Airport have stopped a man attempting to import a prohibited substance.

The man arrived at Melbourne International Airport on a flight from Vietnam on Tuesday morning and was selected by Customs and Border Protection officers for a baggage examination.

During the examination officers suspected that the man could be concealing something on his body. During a frisk search the officers allegedly located three balloon packages in the man’s underwear. Initial indications suggest the balloons could contain up to 350 grams of heroin.

Customs and Border Protection National Manager Airport Operations South, Tonie Differding, said that this was a great result for officers at Melbourne Airport.

“This detection shows that our officers have the resources and training to stop illegal importations no matter how they are concealed,” Ms Differding said.

The maximum penalty for attempting to import a marketable quantity of a border controlled drug is 25 years imprisonment and/or a $550,000 fine, under section 307.2 of the Criminal Code Act 1995.

Customs and Border Protection routinely works with partner agencies including the Australian Federal Police to prevent harmful substances and prohibited items from reaching the community.

http://www.customs.gov.au/site/mediarelease120927.asp

 

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Man admits drug trafficking

A northern Tasmanian man linked to a bikie gang has pleaded guilty to trafficking drugs.

The Ravenswood home of Cornelious John Richard Gleeson was raided by police last year after a six month investigation.

Police found 21 ounces of methylamphetamine with an estimated value of $75,000.

Gleeson was one of 13 people connected with northern Tasmanian motorcycle gangs arrested in a series of police raids.

The 63-year-old also admitted he transported drugs to Launceston addresses.

The court heard Gleeson agreed to store the drugs for his brother.

Defence lawyer Fran McCracken said her client's actions were out of character and he did not receive any benefit from his involvement.

Gleeson has been remanded in custody and will be sentenced on Thursday.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-10-01/man-admits-drug-trafficking/4289504

 

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Pair charged over drug lab discovery

Police have charged two people after allegedly uncovering a drug lab in Sydney's north-west.

Officers raided a townhouse in Castle Hill yesterday morning, arresting a 62-year-old man and a 30-year-old woman.

Police say they discovered scientific glassware and chemicals being used to make the drug ice, while more chemicals were found in other rooms.

The man is being held in custody to face court today charged with drug manufacturing.

The woman has been released on bail on a charge of concealing a serious offence.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-10-03/pair-charged-over-drug-lab-discovery/4292804

 

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Man caught packing backside booty

A DRUG offender packed two goodie bags for his prison trip containing 39 tablets, a needle and syringe, and cannabis and hid them in his bottom.

Michael Jackson, the drug offender not the late pop star, appeared in the Toowoomba Magistrates Court and pleaded guilty to three counts of possessing dangerous drugs and possessing a syringe.

Prosecutor Sergeant Tony Costa said Jackson was arrested at Chinchilla on a return to prison warrant at the weekend.

He was searched and placed in a clean cell at the Toowoomba Police watchhouse on Sunday morning.

Staff entered his cell at 7.10am and discovered two tightly wrapped packages in Jackson's bedding.

Sgt Costa said Jackson, 28, told police the packages had been smuggled into his cell "up my ****".

Defence solicitor Dan Habermann said Jackson had been on the run for three weeks after breaching his parole and knew he was going back to prison.

Mr Habermann said Jackson had "packed away some of his belongings", including 31 morphine tablets and eight valium tablets, in preparation for prison.

He was jailed and will be released on parole on November 2.

http://www.qt.com.au/story/2012/10/03/man-caught-smuggling-drugs-bum-toowoomba/

 

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Joint operation results in $52 million narcotics seizure

The Joint Organised Crime Group (JOCG) has seized an estimated 52 kilograms of narcotics and arrested two Canadian nationals as a result of intelligence provided by the Australian Crime Commission (ACC).

On 3 October 2012, the JOCG arrested a 65-year-old male and a 36-year-old male after stopping their vehicle in the Sydney suburb of Rosehill.

Police had earlier seized 52 kilograms of an illicit substance suspected to be methylamphetamine from a Wentworth Point premises, allegedly occupied by the two men. A seizure of this size has a street value of up to $52 million.

The two Canadian nationals were charged with supply large commercial quantity of prohibited drug contrary to Section 25(2) of the NSW legislation Drug Misuse and Trafficking Act 1985. The maximum penalty for this offence is life imprisonment and/or a $550,000 fine.

The two men appeared in Parramatta Local Court today (October 4). The men have been remanded in custody until 29 November to appear at Sydney Central Local Court.

The JOCG is a joint taskforce comprising Australian Federal Police (AFP), Australian Customs and Border Protection Service, NSW Police Force, the NSW Crime Commission and the ACC.

AFP Acting Manager Serious and Organised Crime Matt Rippon said this operation is proof of how strong relationships are essential for Australian law enforcement.

“This result follows the recent successful JOCG seizure of 42 kilograms of methamphetamine in July 2012, and the AFP’s fight against criminal syndicates who attempt to import drugs into Australia will continue in collaboration with our partner agencies,” acting Commander Rippon said.

ACC Acting Executive Director Fusion, Target Development and Performance Dr John Moss said the seizure was a huge win for law enforcement, with more than 50 kilograms of illicit substances being diverted away from Australian streets.

“The collaboration and targeted intelligence of this operation has made Australia a more hostile place for those seeking to import and sell illicit substances,” he said.

NSW Police Force Organised Crime Targeting Squad Commander, Detective Acting Superintendent Bryne Ruse, said the NSW Police Force remained committed to reducing the availability of prohibited drugs on the streets of NSW.

"This operation again demonstrates the results that can be achieved in tackling drug distribution when law enforcement agencies work in partnership at a State and Commonwealth level," Detective A/Superintendent Ruse said.

"I commend the ongoing work of the Joint Organised Crime Group for their significant efforts to prevent prohibited drugs making their way into the community."

Customs and Border Protection National Manager of Cargo and Maritime Targeting, John Gibbon said that Australian law enforcement authorities would use all of the resources available to them to stop illicit importations such as this one.

“Customs and Border Protection works together with our law enforcement partners to protect the Australian community from these dangerous substances,” Mr Gibbon said.

Investigations are ongoing and the JOCG has not ruled out further arrests.

http://www.customs.gov.au/site/121004jointmediarelease.asp

 

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SIGNIFICANT DRUG OPERATION CHARGES

Detectives from the Serious & Organised Crime Division have charged seven people and frozen over $1 million dollars in assets as a result of a drug operation which concluded yesterday, Wednesday 3 October 2012.

The Proceeds of Crime Squad conducted an operation over recent months targeting people believed to be involved in the cultivation of Cannabis.

This investigation led to a joint operation with Organised Crime Squad yesterday, which involved support from other police units including Mandurah Detectives, Gingin Police, Licensing Enforcement Division, Dog Squad, Police Air Wing and Forensic officers.

Several search warrants were executed in Ravenswood, Lake Clifton, Wannanup, Greenfields, Erskine and Gingin in relation to a group of people identified as possibly being involved in a drug cultivation syndicate, and it will be alleged four Cannabis growing operations were located. It will be alleged all four locations involved set-ups where unauthorised electricity modifications had been made, and Western Power were required to render the areas safe for police to continue.

In total 166 Cannabis plants were located, and eight licensed firearms were seized pending further investigation.

A number of assets have been frozen pending the outcome of the investigation and court proceedings, with assets including properties in Ravenswood, Lake Clifton, Wannanup and Erskine.

Other assets frozen include a boat, shares, bank accounts, vehicles and a business interest in a hotel. While inquiries are ongoing and not all items have been valued, the frozen assets are estimated to be worth about $1,500,000.00.

Four people have been charged in relation to the cultivation of Cannabis with the intent to sell or supply it to others, and the fraudulent appropriation of power to run the Cannabis cultivation equipment. (Full charges on next page).
A further three people have been charged in relation to other items and drugs located during the searches.

Ends release.

http://www.police.wa.gov.au/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=QCNDYDc1tx8=&tabid=1489&mid=1983

 

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18 charged following closure of Op Juliet Tangent

Police have charged 18 people on a total of 64 charges following the closure of Operation Juliet Tangent (Phase 3) which targeted drug offences in the North Coast Region.

Over $50,000 in cash, three vehicles, a bobcat previously reported as stolen, and a quantity of believed methyl amphetamines, were seized during the execution of search warrants on 14 addresses this morning.

The addresses were spread across the Caboolture and Sunshine Coast Districts in North Coast Region, and the Petrie Division within Metropolitan North Region.

Over 60 officers, assisted by the Crime and Misconduct Commission and Customs and Border Protection Service, were involved in the closure of Phase 3 which commenced in May and built upon previous intelligence reports from the Operation dating back to mid-2011.

Charges include a number of drug related offences such as trafficking, supplying and possession of dangerous drugs.

Investigations are continuing in relation to these incidents.

http://mypolice.qld.gov.au/blog/2012/10/02/18-charged-following-closure-of-op-juliet-tangent/

 

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Kiwi facing drugs charges in Philippines

A New Zealand man has been arrested for allegedly possessing marijuana as he was about to board a flight in the Philippines.

The Business Mirror reported that 27-year-old Salah Raad Abdulrazzak was caught with dried marijuana leaves during mandatory frisking at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila on Thursday.

He was allegedly found with three "marijuana sticks".

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency director general Jose S Gutierrez Jr said Abdulrazzak hid the drugs inside a cigarette pack, which he placed in his pants pocket, the Business Mirror reported.

Charges of possession of dangerous drugs are now being prepared.

According to the United States Embassy website, drug offences in the Philippines carry stiff penalties and life sentences are common.

"In drug cases where the amount found is more than 40 grams, bail may not be available. The penalty for the use or possession of 750 grams or more of marijuana is 20-40 years in prison."

http://www.odt.co.nz/news/national/229047/kiwi-facing-drugs-charges-philippines

 

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Five men charged with supplying drugs

FIVE men have been arrested and charged following an investigation into drug supply in Sydney's southwest.

Police executed search warrants at properties in Ingleburn, St Andrews, Glen Alpine and Macquarie Fields early on Friday.

Five men were arrested and taken to Macquarie Fields Police Station, where they were charged with drug supply offences.

A 37-year-old Ingleburn man was charged with 26 offences relating to the commercial drug supply of amphetamines, cannabis and ecstasy.

A 36-year-old St Andrews man was charged with 25 offences relating to the commercial supply of amphetamines, cannabis and ecstasy.

A 41-year-old Glen Alpine man was charged with 13 offences relating to the commercial supply of amphetamines and cannabis. The three were also charged with participating in a criminal group.

A 41-year-old Macquarie Fields man was charged with 16 offences relating to the commercial supply of amphetamines and cannabis. He appeared in Campbelltown Local Court on Friday and was refused bail to reappear on December 3.

A 37-year-old Ingleburn man was charged with two counts of drug supply and one count of drug possession. He appeared in Campbelltown Local Court on Friday and was refused bail to reappear on Tuesday.

The other three have all been refused bail. They will front Parramatta Local Court on Saturday.

Strike Force Cosier was formed by Macquarie Fields Local Area Command in July to investigate a drug supply syndicate operating out of Ingleburn, St Andrews, Macquarie Fields and surrounding suburbs.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/ne...-supplying-drugs/story-e6freuz0-1226489588300