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

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Home raid nabs drugs, cash and weapons W.A.

Home raid nabs drugs, cash and weapons

A MAMMOTH haul of drugs, cash, weapons and explosives has been found by Mandurah detectives after a police sting on a San Remo home.

Officers executed search warrants at a residence in Ronsard Drive just after 7am last Friday, where they found 210 grams of methylamphetamine, worth about $100,000, and 56 grams of cannabis.

Detectives discovered a haul of weapons including a loaded .22 calibre handgun, a millitary-style high-powered 7.62 calibre assault rifle, a high-powered .223 calibre bolt-action rifle which was stolen during a burglary in March, about 600 rounds of ammunition and a safety fuse with detonator.

A money counting machine and $74,655 in cash were also found at the scene. The cash and a safety deposit box have been frozen by the Proceeds of Crime Squad.

A 27-year-old man and 20-year-old woman face various drugs and weapons charges, including possession of drugs, unlicensed firearms, ammunition, explosives and controlled weapons.

A 49-year-old man has been charged with posess MDMA and breach of bail.

The trio appeared in Perth Magistrates Court on January 7 and are scheduled to appear next at Mandurah Magistrate's Court on January 13.​

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Lengthy jail term for Perrin debt shooting W.A.

Lengthy jail term for Perrin debt shooting W.A.

A DRUG dealer who fatally shot a man in the head in his home over a ''piddling'' $700 drug debt will spend at least 10 years in jail.

The man, who can not be named for legal reasons, was sentenced in the West Australian Supreme Court today to 12 years in prison for the manslaughter of Mario Perrin at his Dianella home, in Perth's north.

He had fired his gun three times, shooting Mr Perrin, who was a nominee for membership of the Rebels bikie gang, in the head.

The man had previously pleaded not guilty to murder but changed his plea to manslaughter on the eighth day of his trial.

The 33-year-old father of two went to 39-year-old Mr Perrin's home on October 23, 2010 to try to recover a $700 drug debt, the court heard.

He and Mr Perrin had exchanged a series of text messages in the hours before the shooting.

The messages escalated into name calling and abuse, culminating with Mr Perrin calling the man a dog and a maggot.

When the man, carrying a loaded gun, arrived at Mr Perrin's suburban home, the pair had a heated verbal exchange at the front door.

The man fired the first of three shots at the security door, before entering and firing another two shots inside the home, one ricocheting and hitting a neighbour's house.

The third hit Mr Perrin in the head as he was coming out from his bedroom, where he had fled.

Mr Perrin's two brothers and a nephew were in the house at the time of the shooting.

In sentencing, Justice Lindy Jenkins said the man had shot and killed a man in his own home over a ``piddling'' drug debt.

``He (Mr Perrin) was not equipped for a gun fight,'' Justice Jenkins said.

``There was no justification for you to shoot it, not once, but three times.

``You should have left when Mr Perrin went to his bedroom.''

Justice Jenkins also said the man's first response after the shooting was to flee, and that he should have known Mr Perrin needed medical attention.

The court was told the man had had a turbulent childhood, marred by violence and his parents' separation when he was young.

He had turned to drugs, namely methamphetamine, to cope with long hours running his own successful bricklaying business and with problems in his marriage.

He began selling drugs after his marriage fell apart and he had lost his business as a result of his drug taking.

Outside the court, Mr Perrin's mother, Maureen Saylor, said she was happy with the sentence despite being devastated at her son's death.

``We don't get to see him, he comes out and see his parents. We don't see our son,'' she said.

``It doesn't matter how long he gets, it is not going to bring our son back.

``But we are happy with the sentence.''

She did not accept the man had remorse for his crime.

The sentence was backdated to October 2010 and the man will be eligible for parole in 2020.​

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One missing in drug lab fire VIC.

One missing in drug lab fire VIC.

A house in Melbourne's south-east has been destroyed by a fire which is believed to have been started by an exploding drug laboratory.

One person remains unaccounted for.

Fire crews were called to the blaze in Main Street, Mordialloc, at 5:20am (AEDT). But they had trouble accessing the house.

The Metropolitan Fire Brigade believes the fire was caused by an illegal methamphetamine operation in the building.

The fire has caused about $500,000 damage.​

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Man and pregnant woman charged with importing 6.3kgs of drugs - 11 January 2012

Man and pregnant woman charged with importing 6.3kgs of drugs - 11 January 2012

A 34-year-old Gold Coast woman will attend court today charged with importing approximately 4.3 kilograms of tablets into Brisbane which tested positive to pseudoephedrine.

A 34-year-old Gold Coast man has also been charged in relation to this matter for importing a further two kilograms of tablets into Brisbane which tested positive to pseudoephedrine.

During an examination of the pair’s bags at the Brisbane International Airport on 24 December 2011, Australian Customs and Border Protection Service officers found the tablets inside four packets of bath salts concealed in the man’s luggage.

Subsequent searches uncovered five similar packets of tablets within the woman’s luggage. A further 2.3 kilograms of tablets were also found in a vacuum-sealed bag strapped to the woman’s stomach. The package had been strapped to the woman’s body to make her look heavily pregnant.

The matter was referred to the Australian Federal Police and the man and woman were charged with importing a border controlled precursor, contrary to section 307.11 of the Criminal Code Act 1995.

The maximum penalty for this offence is 25 years imprisonment and/or a $550,000 fine.

The woman will appear in the Brisbane Magistrates Court today.

The man will appear in the same court on 20 January 2012.​

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Man charged for attempting to possess 5kgs of heroin

Man charged for attempting to possess 5kgs of heroin

A 53-year-old dual Vietnamese-Australian national is scheduled to appear in Sydney Central Local Court today after being charged by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) for attempting to possess approximately five kilograms of heroin.

On 5 January 2012, Customs and Border Protection officers examined an international mail article which arrived at the Sydney Gateway facility from Cambodia, containing packets of tea, coffee and ten containers of hair treatment products.

Further examination revealed an off-white paste concealed in the hair treatment containers. The substance presumptively tested positive for heroin.

The matter was referred to the AFP for investigation.

The consignment was delivered to an address in Cabramatta yesterday, where the man was arrested by the AFP after he allegedly attempted to take possession of the delivery.

The AFP also executed a search warrant on the residential premises, where further evidence was seized.

The man was charged with attempting to possess a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, namely heroin, contrary to Section 307.1 of the Criminal Code Act 1995.

The maximum penalty for this offence is life imprisonment and/or an $825,000 fine.

Further forensic testing will be undertaken to confirm the exact weight and purity of the substance.​

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Illegal drug manufacturer awaits sentence

Illegal drug manufacturer awaits sentence

A man who manufactured illegal drugs has pleaded guilty in the Northern Territory Supreme Court to charges that together carry maximum penalties of more than 50 years in jail.

Hadji Naga, 42, pleaded guilty to five charges, including manufacturing methamphetamine and cannabis resin.

Defence lawyer Michael Powell told the court his client had gone back to drugs after a long-term relationship broke down and had a raging speed habit by the time he was arrested last year.

He said Naga had tried to do a drug rehabilitation course in jail but after eight weeks was told the program had been discontinued.

The court was later told the program is still running but that it is no longer open to Naga.

Judge Stephen Southwood asked to be given an explanation about why the rehabilitation was stopped, before he sentences Naga on Friday.

Police said that Naga's illegal drug manufacturing set-up was highly dangerous.

The court was told that methamphetamine labs are notoriously unstable and that Naga kept drug-making equipment including butane above an auto workshop.

The prosecution said the potential for catastrophe was quite high and that Naga's sentence should be severe enough to deter others.

Mr Powell argued the court should consider rehabilitation options for Naga, instead of warehousing him in jail.​

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Unlicensed guns trigger jail term

Unlicensed guns trigger jail term

A man has been sentenced to two months' jail after admitting to firearm and drug offences.

Beau Edwards, 25, from Redesdale, was arrested last August during police raids in the town and in Bendigo.

He pleaded guilty in the Bendigo Magistrates Court yesterday to seven offences, including possession of drugs and unlicensed guns.

Edwards indicated he would appeal against the sentence.​

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Men charged with drug supply after 'ice' seized - Woomargama

Men charged with drug supply after 'ice' seized - Woomargama

Two men will appear in court on drug supply charges after police seized crystal methamphetamine (ice) during a vehicle stop in southern NSW early today.

About 4.45am (Wednesday 11 January 2012), officers attached to Albury Local Area Command stopped a Toyota Camry on the Hume Highway, Woomargama, while conducting speed enforcement duties.

Officers searched the vehicle after speaking to the male driver and allegedly located a plastic bag in the boot containing an amount of crystal methamphetamine (ice).

Police seized the drugs before arresting the driver and his male passenger, aged 21 and 24.

The seized drugs have an estimated potential street value of $215,000

The men were taken to Albury Police Station where they were charged with supply commercial quantity of prohibited drug.

Both were refused bail to appear in Albury Local Court Tuesday 17 January 2012.​

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Drug charges, North Booval

Drug charges, North Booval

A local man has been charged with several offences after a search warrant was executed on a property in North Booval this morning.

Police attended the Selwyn Street address at around 9am, and allegedly located a number of items including drug paraphernalia.

A 26-year-old North Booval man has been charged with one count each of possessing a relevant substance or things, possessing instructions for producing dangerous drugs, possession of a prohibited combination of items, possessing dangerous drugs and possessing property suspected of having been used in connection with the commission of a drug offence. He is due to appear in the Ipswich Magistrates Court on February 20.

Investigations are continuing.​

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Spaniards to face court over cocaine seizure

Spaniards to face court over cocaine seizure

PHOTO: The seizure has been described as the fifth largest in Australian history. (Australian Federal Police)

Four Spanish nationals will appear in the Bundaberg Magistrates Court today charged with importing almost $80 million worth of cocaine.

Miguel Angel Sanchez Barrocal, 39, Jose Herrero Calvo, 38, Julia Maria Boada Fernandez, 37, and Ivan Maria Ramos Valea, 35, were arrested last November after Customs officers and federal police seized 300 kilograms of cocaine.

The drug, with a street value of $78 million, was hidden inside a yacht docked at the Bundaberg Port, in south-east Queensland.

The group had sailed the boat from Vanuatu to Bundaberg as part of a yachting rally.

The raid was the result of several months surveillance by the federal police, and included raids on properties in Bundaberg, Sydney and the Gold Coast.

Each of the accused is charged with importing quantities of border-controlled drugs.

The seize has been described as the fifth largest in Australian history.

If found guilty, the group faces life imprisonment.​

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Second drug lab found

Second drug lab found

Kalgoorlie-Boulder police have uncovered the second drug lab to be found in the city this month.

Officers raided an O'Connor Way property on Tuesday night where they allegedly found a significant amount of equipment and chemicals.

Police say they believe the equipment was used to make methamphetamines but testing needs to be done to confirm their suspicions.

The raid comes a week after a clandestine drug lab was uncovered on Taylor Way in Boulder.​

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Malaysian Airlines pilot arrested with 5kg of methamphetamine

Malaysian Airlines pilot arrested with 5kg of methamphetamine

ICE: The drug, crystal methamphetamine, or ice. Source: Supplied

A MALAYSIAN Airlines pilot allegedly had five kilograms of methamphetamine in his suitcase when he was arrested at Sydney airport this week, a court has been told.

Thiagu Supramaniam was today refused bail in Central Local Court after his arrest by AFP officers on Tuesday.

The 30-year-old commercial pilot was charged with two counts of importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, one allegedly relating to a drug deal in a Sydney hotel last August.

Customs officers searched the man's bag after he disembarked at Sydney Airport, and allegedly uncovered six packages containing a "white crystalline substance", which tests say contained five kilograms of methamphetamine.

The AFP have been investigating Supramaniam, a Malaysian national, since August when he allegedly delivered 1.4kg of heroin to a man at a Sydney hotel on August 7. That man was arrested and charged.

The court was told Supramaniam would like an adjournment so his family in Malaysia could be notified.

He didn't apply for bail and it was formally refused by Magistrate Julie Huber.

The case returns to court next week.​

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Man arrested following search warrant ACT

Man arrested following search warrant ACT

Detectives from ACT Policing Criminal Investigations and AFP Serious and Organised Crime arrested a 29-year-old Latham man after executing search warrants on two houses yesterday (Thursday, January 12).

Police attended two addresses in Latham and Macgregor, seizing approximately 11 kilograms of a substance alleged to be cannabis and approximately $80,000 in cash.

The man was taken to the ACT Watch House and charged with traffic a trafficable quantity of cannabis, possessing proceeds of crime and possessing a drug of dependence.

He is expected to face the ACT Magistrates Court today where bail will be opposed.

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Bikie associate charged following police raids

Bikie associate charged following police raids

POLICE have charged a bikie associate with drug and firearms offences following raids on a business and residential properties in Perth's northern suburbs.

The 27-year-old associate of the Finks bikie gang is facing a string of charges following the seizure of drugs and weapons during yesterday's raids on three separate addresses.

A loaded firearm, ammunition, a mobile phone jammer and a quantity of substances believed to be steroids were discovered during a raid on a business in Landsdale yesterday morning.

Cocaine, cannabis, weapons and ammunition were then seized at residential properties in Clarkson and Mindarie.

The man was charged with 22 offences, including three counts of aggravated possession of firearms and 14 drug charges.

He is due to appear in the Joondalup Magistrates Court on February 3.​

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OMCG member charged with drug supply - Strike Force Raptor

OMCG member charged with drug supply - Strike Force Raptor

An OMCG member will appear in court today after he was allegedly caught with ‘ice’ in south-western Sydney yesterday.

Shortly before 4pm (Saturday 14 January 2012), officers attached to the State Crime Command’s Strike Force Raptor stopped a motorcycle on King Georges Road at Roselands.

The rider was observed to be wearing full Lone Wolf OMCG colours.

Police arrested the 30-year-old man after checks revealed he had outstanding arrest warrants in relation to traffic matters.

During a search of the man it’s alleged 20grams of ‘ice’ was located.

He was taken to Surry Hills Police Station where he was subsequently charged with supply indictable quantity of prohibited drug and possess prohibited drug.

The man was refused bail to appear at Parramatta Bail Court today (Sunday 15 January 2012).​

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Pair charged over Kenwick drug laboratory

Pair charged over Kenwick drug laboratory

Two men have been charged with drug offences after police discovered a clandestine drug laboratory in the southern Perth suburb of Kenwick.

Police seized a number of items from a property on Park Road shortly before 2:00pm yesterday.

A 40-year-old Kenwick man is due to appear in the Armadale Magistrates Court tomorrow to face a number of charges, including manufacturing a prohibited drug, possessing methylamphetamine and possessing stolen property.

A 40-year-old Langford man has been charged with possessing methylamphetamine and is due to appear in the Perth Magistrates Court tomorrow.​

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Four charged in Esperance drug bust

Four charged in Esperance drug bust

Police say they have charged four people allegedly involved in a drug ring in Esperance.

They say they executed two search warrants on two different properties in Esperance on Friday, seizing $6,500 in cash, almost 20 grams of amphetamines, five cannabis plants and a hydroponic set-up.

Three men in their 20s and a 21-year-old woman have been charged with a range of drug-related offences.

They are due to appear in the Esperance Magistrates Court.​

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Hells Angels associate arrested during Strike Force Raptor drug operation

Hells Angels associate arrested during Strike Force Raptor drug operation

An alleged associate of the Hells Angels Outlaw Motorcycle Gang (OMCG) is among five people arrested after Strike Force Raptor investigations into drug supply in inner Sydney.

Officers from the Gangs Squad’s Strike Force Raptor have been investigating alleged drug supply in Kings Cross and stopped a car on Victoria Street, Darlinghurst, about 7.20pm yesterday (Monday 16 January 2012).

A 28-year-old man, alleged to be an associate of the Hells Angels, was arrested and charged with breach of bail and refused bail to face Central Local Court today.

A 33-year-old man was charged with possess prohibited drug and deal with the proceeds of crime after police located drug paraphernalia and amphetamines.

He was granted conditional bail to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on 8 February 2012.

Strike Force Raptor officers, assisted by the Middle Eastern Organised Crime Squad and Kings Cross detectives, then executed a search warrant on a unit in Roslyn Street, Kings Cross.

Police located small amounts of heroin, amphetamines and cannabis, as well as cash, drug paraphernalia and items suspected of being stolen.

One man and two women were arrested at the scene.

A 26-year-old woman was charged with conducting a drug premises, possess prohibited drug and goods in custody. She was refused bail to face Central Local Court today.

A 23-year-old man was issued a court attendance notice for possess prohibited drug and being on a drug premises to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on 7 March 2012.

A second woman will be issued court attendance notices for possess prohibited drug and goods in custody.

Inquiries are continuing.

Strike Force Raptor was established by the State Crime Command’s Gangs Squad in 2009 and is a proactive, high-impact operation targeting outlaw motorcycle gangs and their alleged associated criminal enterprises.​

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Large hydroponic set-up located in Dandenong North

Large hydroponic set-up located in Dandenong North

Police are currently at the scene of a house fire in Dandenong North which occurred overnight.

Police and CFA were called about 8.50pm to a double story house in Bellbrook Drive.

Local CIU members are currently investigating the incident after a large hydroponic set-up was discovered within the premises.

The set-up is expected to be removed from the premises today.​

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Owner of lost drugs busted on CCTV

Owner of lost drugs busted on CCTV

A MAN who found a bag of cocaine outside an apartment complex tracked down the owner by reviewing CCTV footage and then dobbed him in to police, a court has been told.

Jared Andrew McBride, 30, accidentally dropped the drugs when he returned home to his Kangaroo Point apartment in March 2010, the Supreme Court in Brisbane heard today.

The bag, containing around 25 grams of cocaine, was found later that day by the apartment complex manager.

The court heard the manager reviewed CCTV footage from outside the main entrance and quickly identified the bag as belonging to McBride, who had lived there for 16 months.

He called police, who visited the complex and spoke with McBride.

McBride initially denied knowledge of the drugs, saying the man in the CCTV footage was not him.

However, he pleaded guilty today to one count of possession.

He was sentenced to a 12-month wholly suspended sentence.​

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