THE great-grandson of department store mogul Albert Grace has avoided jail for smuggling 8.2 grams of cocaine into Australia.
Andrew Grace, 42, swallowed three condoms filled with the drug to smuggle it through customs.
He was yesterday placed on a two year good-behaviour bond after reaching a plea deal that allowed him to be sentenced on the basis the drugs were for personal use.
Judge Andrew Colefax yesterday said Grace should avoid jail because he had shown remorse by performing 441 hours of community service since he was charged in December 2010.
The judge also said Grace's prospects for rehabilitation were excellent, but other questions remained unanswered because Grace did not take the witness box to explain his crime, instead choosing to give a limited written statement to the court.
"Why a person of Grace's intelligence and financial resources would bring in such a quantity of cocaine by this method has not been explained at the time of this sentencing hearing," Judge Colefax said.
Police arrested two men, aged 22 and 47 years, and charged them with trafficking a controlled drug after a search of their Elizabeth Park home on Friday night.
Officers from Operation Mantle attached to Elizabeth Police allegedly located approximately 5 grams of amphetamine at the Alexander Street property.
The 47-year-old man has also been charged with unlawful possession of $9300 in cash, also allegedly found during the search.
Both men have been bailed to appear in the Elizabeth Magistrates Court on 21 March.
A review by Tasmania Police has exonerated the actions of officers who twice strip-searched a 12-year-old girl during a drug raid.
Deputy Commissioner Scott Tilyard has finished a review of police actions during the raid on Wednesday at Rokeby on Hobart's eastern shore.
The girl was searched in a bedroom of her house with her mother present.
No drugs were found on her.
Mr Tilyard says a review was conducted rather than an internal investigation because the facts did not suggest any of the officers involved had acted unlawfully.
The review found both searches were justified based on the behaviour of the girl and others in the house at the time.
Mr Tilyard says the officers involved have his full support.
"The conduct of the people in the residence that was being searched, including the movements and activities of the young girl in question, caused the officers to suspect that she may have been in possession of some drugs," he said.
"We find drugs in all sorts of places on all sorts of people."
The Deputy Commissioner says searches of children by police during drug raids are rare and the girl was not touched or required to squat as reportedly claimed by her mother.
He says it is legal for officers conduct a strip search of a child of any age, if it is warranted.
Police say a white powder seized in the raid, possibly methamphetamine, is being analysed by forensic officers.
Woman charged with drug offences and receiving stolen goods - Strike Force Blumer
Woman charged with drug offences and receiving stolen goods - Strike Force Blumer
Detectives investigating numerous armed robberies and break and enters in the Hunter Valley and on the Central Coast have charged a woman with drug offences and receiving stolen goods.
Strike Force Blumer was established in December 2011 and comprises detectives from the Robbery and Serious Crime Squad and various local area commands in the Hunter and Central Coast areas.
Yesterday (Tuesday 31 January 2012), officers executed a search warrant at The Entrance Road, The Entrance, locating a white powder and quantities of a liquid substance which will undergo forensic testing, quantities of cannabis prepared for supply, prescription drugs and drug paraphernalia.
An amount of cash and various items of clothing, suspected of being stolen from break and enter offences upon local businesses, were also seized.
A 42-year-old woman was arrested at the home and taken to The Entrance Police Station.
She was charged with supply prohibited drug, three counts of possess prohibited drug, possess restricted substance, deal with the proceeds of crime and receiving stolen property.
The woman was granted conditional bail to appear at Wyong Local Court on 29 February 2012.
Yesterday’s operation was conducted by the Robbery and Serious Crime Squad and Tuggerah Lakes Local Area Command.
Inquiries by Strike Force Blumer detectives into numerous armed robbery and break and enter offences are ongoing.
ASIA - Surin prison officials accused of dealing drugs
ASIA - Surin prison officials accused of dealing drugs
Three officials working at a Surin prison have been suspended and face prosecution after a search allegedly turned up evidence linking them with drug dealings within the prison complex.
The three officials at Rattana Buri prison are Bunhome Rawirueng, wife Sommai Bussaba and Wachirasak Suknongbueng, who have each been released on a Bt2million bail. The search was tipped off by inmates.
Authorities also found 63 mobile phones, 15 SIM cards, a number of amphetamine tablets and ice flakes, along with evidence at the residences of all three showing names of drug racket members and transactions of more than Bt50 million, Bt37 million allegedly through the three suspects.
Police said the suspects dealt in drugs with an inmate imprisoned in Khao Bin prison in Ratchaburi, which will soon house around 500 highprofile drug convicts transferred from other prisons.
This inmatedealer is identified as Phanuwat Sirichai, and was allegedly helped by two relatives identified merely as Mangkorn and Ball.
Phanuwat also did business with another racket led by the Wongyam brothers, which had direct contact with the three prison officials suspended yesterday, police sources said.
The Corrections Department will sort out highprofile drug convicts with two government agencies, before finalising who is on a 500name list to be transferred to Khao Bin prison. There are now 2,200 inmates at the Ratchaburibased prison which has a 3,000inmate capacity.
Deputy directorgeneral Kobkiat Kasiwiwat said devices to jam mobile phone signals would be installed at three prisons in Phitsanulok, Rayong and Nakhon Ratchasima, which will have a total of 10,000 inmates under the signals cover, including 500 at the Khao Bin prison.
In Kanchanaburi, a public health official, a driver and a guard working at a local hospital were arrested at a police checkpoint yesterday, with nine amphetamine tablets and a pack of marijuana in their possession.
Police identified the suspects as C3 official Somphorn Wongsema, driver Pharadorn Thongdee and security guard Rattamakamphol Sangkhajorn. Police said Pharadorn and Rattamakamphol turned in a positive urine test result.
Police are investigating whether a luxury SUV with the three occupants inside pulled over at the checkpoint belonged to a senior official, and whether he had anything to do with illegal activity.
A man will appear in court today after police seized over $140,000 cash and $7500 worth of prohibited drugs in Sydney’s inner west last night (Tuesday 31 January 2012).
Officers from Leichhardt Local Area Command executed the search warrant at a unit in Balmain Road, Lilyfield, just before 10pm.
During their search of the property, police allegedly seized $7500 worth of prohibited drugs believed to be cocaine, $147 000 in cash, ledgers, expensive designer brand watches and mobile phones.
Police arrested a 27-year-old man at the address and took him to Newtown Police Station.
He was charged with supply prohibited drug, deal in the proceeds of crime and goods in custody.
The Lilyfield man was refused bail to appear at Balmain Local Court today (Wednesday 1 February 2012).
Man charged with importing cocaine concealed in a sleeping bag and inflatable mattres
Man charged with importing cocaine concealed in a sleeping bag and inflatable mattress
A 42-year-old American man is scheduled to appear in Sydney Central Local Court today charged with importing cocaine into Australia, concealed in a sleeping bag and inflatable mattress.
On Tuesday, 31 January 2012, the man arrived into Sydney International Airport on a flight from Argentina and was selected by Customs and Border Protection officers for a baggage examination.
During the examination, the officers noticed that the man’s sleeping bag and inflatable mattress had been tampered with.
Further examination of the goods revealed inconsistencies in the linings.
Initial testing of the linings indicated the presence of cocaine, with an estimated weight of over one kilogram.
The matter was referred to the Australian Federal Police, who charged the man with importing a marketable quantity of a border controlled drug, namely cocaine, contrary to section 307.2(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995.
The maximum penalty for this offence is 25 years imprisonment and/or a $550,000 fine.
Further forensic testing will be undertaken to confirm the exact weight and purity of the substance.
Significant drug arrests and seizures - Murray Bridge
Significant drug arrests and seizures - Murray Bridge
Yesterday Drug Investigation Branch Detectives raided several properties at Murray Bridge and Tailem Bend, arresting two men and seizing a signifcant quantity of illicit drugs.
On 4 January 2012, South Australia Police released a media statement in relation to concerns about the emergence of the illicit drug known as MDPV (Methylenedioxypyrovalerone).
On 18 January 2012, members from Drug Investigation Branch, Murray Bridge Police and Operation Mantle conducted a series of raids on premises in Murray Bridge and surrounding areas, as part of the police response to this issue.
As a result four people were arrested for trafficking drug offences and seven others reported for related offences.
Since that time police have continued their investigation into the emergence of MDPV, with the assistance of other agencies, including Australian Customs & Border Protection Service and Australian Federal Police.
As part of this on-going investigation, on Tuesday morning 31 January, members from Drug Investigation Branch with assistance from Australian Customs & Border Protection Service and Murray Mallee police conducted further raids at Mannum, Murray Bridge and Tailem Bend.
These raids yesterday resulted in the following two arrests:
A 27-year-old man from Mannum was arrested and charged with three counts of importation of a border controlled drug, two counts of trafficking in a controlled drug and one count of possessing prescribed equipment.
A 33-year old man from Tailem Bend was arrested and charged with one count of importation of a border controlled drug, five counts of trafficking in a controlled drug and two counts of possessing prescribed equipment.
Both men have been bailed to appear at the Murray Bridge Magistrates Court on 26 March 2012.
As a result of those arrests police allegedly seized:
1,250 grams of MDPV
440 grams of various synthetic drugs (including Ecstasy)
320 grams of DMMC (commonly known as Meow Meow)
300 grams of Ephedrine (Methylamphetamine Precursor)
Earlier today Western Adelaide Detectives searched a house at Seaton and located a room allegedly containing hydroponic drug equipment, about 5kgs of dried cannabis and 10 grams of methyl amphetamine.
This seizure of methyl amphetamine equates to approximately 100 street deals.
As a result a 34-year-old man from Seaton was arrested and charged with possessing prescribed equipment, trafficking a large commercial quantity of cannabis and trafficking a controlled drug.
The arrested man has been bailed to appear in the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court on 14 March, 2012.
Police arrest Lone Wolf OMCG member - Coffs Harbour
Police arrest Lone Wolf OMCG member - Coffs Harbour
Police on the state’s north coast have arrested a member of an outlaw motorcycle gang after allegedly seizing a gun, ammunition, cash and drugs from a Coffs Harbour holiday apartment.
Detectives attached to Coffs/Clarence Local Area Command executed a search warrant on a Prince Street unit about 7.30am today (Thursday 2 February 2012).
They allegedly found a revolver, ammunition, two balaclavas, ecstasy tablets and quantities of animal and human steroids.
Police also raided a business within a shopping centre on Park Beach Road and allegedly seized amounts of amphetamine and steroids, documentation and a computer hard drive.
A 34-year-old man with alleged links to the Lone Wolf outlaw motorcycle gang was arrested by detectives and taken to Coffs Harbour Police Station.
He’s expected to be charged with a string of offences and appear in Coffs Harbour Local Court later this afternoon.
Today’s search warrants are part of ongoing inquiries into a series of violent offences in the Coffs Harbour area – including the armed robbery of a cash-in-transit security guard at a local fast food restaurant in January last year and a home invasion on Cook Drive, Coffs Harbour, on Fathers Day 2011.
Police arrest 11th person following investigation into drug and firearms supply - Mid
Police arrest 11th person following investigation into drug and firearms supply - Middle Eastern Organised Crime Squad
Middle Eastern Organised Crime Squad (MEOCS) detectives yesterday arrested an 11th person following an ongoing investigation into the supply of prohibited drugs and firearms.
Strike Force Centre was established in June last year, uncovering a criminal syndicate which was allegedly manufacturing prohibited drugs for supply as well as supplying illegal firearms.
Nine men and one woman are already before the courts on a range of drug and firearms offences after being arrested by strike force detectives last year.
During the course of investigations, detectives discovered precursor chemicals, used in the manufacture of prohibited drugs, were allegedly being supplied to the group by an employee of a Sydney business. It will be alleged almost 20kg of precursors had been supplied to the group.
As a result, a 24-year-old man was arrested by detectives yesterday (Wednesday 1 February 2012) when he attended Parramatta Police Station.
The North Parramatta man was charged with possess precursors with the intent to manufacture prohibited drugs. He was granted conditional bail to face Parramatta Local Court on 7 March 2012.
Since its inception, Strike Force Centre has seized eight firearms, including three machine pistols, more than 2kg of prohibited drugs, 20kg of precursors used to make prohibited drugs, and a large amount of cash.
Inquiries are ongoing and further arrests are anticipated.
Crime Gangs Detectives this evening have arrested a 37-year-old man from Wattle Park with possession of a controlled substance and 12 counts of breach of bail.
As the man is currently in the Royal Adelaide Hospital, a bedside court hearing is planned for tomorrow.
No further comment will be made as the matter is now before the court
Two New South Wales men will have to spend at least 13 years in jail for bringing $7 million worth of drugs into Western Australia.
Joseph Micalizzi, 28, and Jameson Santos, 41, were found guilty of possessing 22 kilograms of methamphetamine and 30,000 ecstasy tablets.
The drugs were found onboard a plane that flew from Bankstown in New South Wales to Perth's Jandakot airport in March 2008.
Santos was the pilot and Micalizzi his passenger.
Perth District Court Judge Christopher Stevenson said the men showed no remorse for their actions and the seriousness of the crime had to be reflected in his sentence.
He sentenced them to 15 years for possessing methamphetamine with the intent to sell or supply and 13 years for the ecstasy offence.
The men will be eligible for parole after 13 years.
Vincenzo Focarelli, the self-proclaimed Comancheros bikie gang leader, is expected to face a hospital bedside court hearing on Friday on drug possession charges.
Focarelli, 37, is recovering in the Royal Adelaide Hospital after the latest apparent attempt on his life.
Crime Gangs taskforce detectives arrested him for alleged possession of a controlled substance and 12 bail breaches.
Meanwhile, a senior judge has responded to police criticism of sentencing in South Australia, saying the comments fail to recognise the complexity of sentencing.
SA Police Commissioner Mal Hyde and Assistant Commissioner Tony Harrison have criticised sentences for gun-related crime as being too lenient at times.
The comments were made after bikie gang member Giovanni Focarelli was shot dead on Sunday night and his father Vincenzo was injured by four gunshots.
Chief Judge of the District Court Terry Worthington says judges must take into account numerous factors when sentencing, including the risk to public safety.
Police have reported a 41-year-old man for cultivating cannabis, possessing a prohibited weapon, failing to store ammunition appropriately and tampering with an electrical meter.
On 3 February 2012, police from Traffic Support Branch went to a Two Wells home and will allege six cannabis plants were found growing hydroponically in the home along with several hundred rounds of ammunition and a an asp baton.
The man will be summonsed to appear in the Elizabeth Magistrate's Court at a later date.
A man has been charged with drug-related offences following a search warrant in Sydney’s south.
About 9.30pm Friday (3 February 2012), a 25-year-old man was stopped by police after he threw a small bag believed to contain drugs into a silver BMW parked on Evans Street, Sans Souci.
During a police search, the man physically resisted officers before being subdued.
Following a search of the BMW, police located a bag containing a quantity of methyl-amphetamine, MDMA tablets, cocaine, cannabis and a sum of cash.
The man was arrested and taken to St George Police Station.
The man was subsequently charged with two counts of supply prohibited drug, four counts of possess prohibited drug, deal with property suspected proceeds of crime and resist officer in execution of duty.
He was refused bail and is due to appear in Parramatta Local Court today (Sunday 5 February 2012).
About 9.30am yesterday (Saturday 4 February 2012), officers attached to Operation Spartan and St George Local Area Command executed a search warrant at a home on Evans Street, Sans Souci.
Police located and seized a quantity of illegal drugs (MDMA, cocaine and cannabis), a hunting knife, a bayonet, soft body armour and three bicycles.
Inquiries are continuing and further charges are expected.
Police have arrested and charged a 68-year-old Chipping Norton man after finding drugs and a large amount of cash in a car he was driving.
About 1.55pm yesterday (Sunday 5 February 2012), police pulled over an Audi vehicle in Ourimbah Road, Mosman.
Police conducted a search of the driver and the car, and allegedly located over five kilograms of cannabis and more than $13,000 in cash.
The man was arrested and taken to North Sydney Police Station where he was charged with a number of offences, including supplying a prohibited drug and dealing with the suspected proceeds of crime.
He was granted strict conditional bail to appear in North Sydney Local Court on Tuesday 28 February 2012.
