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

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Four to face charges following search warrants - Strike Force Raptor

An alleged associate of the Rebels outlaw motorcycle gang will face court today (Friday 22 June 2012) charged with nine drug and firearm offences, following an operation in Sydney yesterday.

Police also laid drug charges against an alleged Rebels nominee, and expect to issue future court attendance notices to another two people in relation to the investigation.

On Tuesday 10 April 2012, Strike Force Raptor officers raided the home of an alleged Rebels member at Adderton Road, Telopea.

Inside a vehicle at the property, police located a six-shot Ruger revolver, a six-shot Smith and Wesson revolver, about 120 rounds of ammunition and approximately 1kg of amphetamine. A shotgun and further amounts of prohibited drugs were located inside a garage.

Three men were arrested at the time, but released pending further inquiries.

Following extensive inquiries, including forensic examination, Strike Force Raptor officers assisted by the Public Order and Riot Squad executed five search warrants yesterday at addresses in Willmot, Richmond, Londonderry, Lethbridge Park and St Marys.

At the Willmot residence, police seized suspected stolen jewellery and other items, and arrested a 19-year-old alleged Rebels associate.

In relation to the 10 April raid, the man was charged with supply prohibited drug – commercial quantity; two counts of possess unauthorised pistol; and possess ammunition. He was additionally charged with four counts of supply prohibited drug, and supply prohibited drug on an ongoing basis.

He was refused bail and will face all charges today at Mount Druitt Local Court.

At the Richmond address, police seized drugs believed to be methylamphetamine, ecstasy, cannabis and cannabis seeds, as well as jewellery and cash.

A 22-year-old alleged Rebels nominee arrested at this address has been charged with two counts of possess prohibited drug and supply prohibited drug. He was granted conditional bail to appear at Windsor Local Court on 11 July 2012.

Arising from this warrant, police also expect to issue a future court attendance notice to a 32-year-old man for possess cannabis seeds, and to a 19-year-old man for possess and deal with proceeds of crime.

Other items seized during yesterday’s raids include snakes, ammunition, steroids, firearms parts and suspected stolen property.

Investigations are continuing.

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

http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/news/m...nb3YuYXUlMkZtZWRpYSUyRjIzOTI5Lmh0bWwmYWxsPTE=
 
Drugs seized in Riverland

21june_-_cannabis_seizure_in_Riverland.jpg


A 47-year-old man from Woodville Gardens was arrested in the Riverland yesterday after police located a large quantity of cannabis in his bag.

The man was travelling on a bus to Sydney at the time.

The cannabis was contained in vacuum sealed bags and weighed in excess of 15kg.

The street value of the contents has been estimated at just under $140,000.

The man appeared in the Berri Magistrate's Court today and has been remanded in custody to re-appear on 26 June.

http://www.sapolicenews.com.au/more-news/8533-drugs-seized-in-riverland.html
 
Dandenong police locate unregistered firearms and drugs during warrant

Police have seized unregistered firearms and drugs following a raid on a house in Dandenong North this morning.

Members from Greater Dandenong CIU and Greater Dandenong Tasking Unit executed a firearms search warrant in McFees Road about 9am.

Six firearms including sawn-off shotguns and pistols, drugs and other weapons were located.

Police arrested a 26-year-old Dandenong North man at the scene.

He was charged with firearm and drug offences and bailed to appear in the Dandenong Magistrates’ Court at 24 September.

http://www.vicpolicenews.com.au/mor...stered-firearms-and-drugs-during-warrant.html
 
Police dogs sniff out ecstasy haul at Modbury bus interchange


POLICE dogs have led in the arrest of a Modbury North man on drugs charges after he was allegedly found with ecstasy tablets at a bus station.

The man, 29, was at the Modbury Interchange on Sunday night when the dog indicated he was carrying the illicit drug.

After a search the man was charged with possessing a commercial quantity of controlled drugs.

He will appear in the Holden Hill Magistrates Court at a later date.

The arrest is part of ongoing transit police operations on public transport system.

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/...-bus-interchange/story-e6frea83-1226407711317
 
Drugs and cash seized, man charged - Blacktown

A man has been charged after cash and drugs were found in his western Sydney home yesterday (Monday 25 June 2012).

About 12.30pm Blacktown Detectives executed a search warrant at a unit in Clifton Street, Blacktown.

During the course of the search, police located $43,000 in the ceiling of the unit and $18,000 in a bag.

They also located 1.7 grams of powder believed to be cocaine, 2.7 grams of ice and six grams of an unidentified liquid.

Police also seized several laptops and mobile phones, some jewellery and other yet to be identified substances.

A 43-year old man was arrested and charged with drug supply and possession offences and Deal with Property Suspected of being the Proceeds of Crime.

He will appear at Blacktown Local Court later today (Tuesday 26 June 2012).

http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/news/m...nb3YuYXUlMkZtZWRpYSUyRjIzOTg2Lmh0bWwmYWxsPTE=
 
Police detect 20 drivers drug-driving during targeted operations - Mt Druitt and Botany Bay

Police detected 20 drivers with allegedly having illegal drugs in their system during two separate operations in Sydney.

Officers from the Traffic and Highway Patrol ran Random Drug Testing operations in Mt Druitt Local Area Command on June 21/22 and in Botany Bay Local Area Command on June 22/23.

In total, police conducted 610 drug tests which resulted in 20 drivers returning positive indications for illegal drugs (cannabis and/or amphetamine).

Those results have been sent for laboratory verification before charges are laid.

All drivers involved have had their driver’s licences suspended.

Traffic and Highway Patrol Command’s Superintendent Stuart Smith said the results of the operations are cause for concern.

“People need to realise their driving ability will be severely affected if they are under the influence of illegal drugs.

“It greatly increases your risk of being involved in a serious crash.

“The Traffic and Highway Patrol Command will continue to carry out these operations across the state in a bid to get drug drivers off our roads.”

http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/news/m...nb3YuYXUlMkZtZWRpYSUyRjIzOTczLmh0bWwmYWxsPTE=
 
Ten arrested in South Gippsland drug raids

Police from the Wellington Criminal Investigation Unit have arrested eight people following a prolonged investigation into drug trafficking in the Heyfield and Sale area.

On Friday detectives from Wellington, East Gippsland and Latrobe, along with members from the Morwell Tasking Unit and Wellington uniform members, executed nine warrants in Heyfield, Glenmaggie and Toonganbbie.

A 28-year-old Winnindoo man was arrested and charged with trafficking a large commercial quantity of Methly-Amphetamine and cannabis and making threats to kill. He appeared in the Sale Magistrates’ Court today and was remanded in custody to reappear in September.

Police also arrested a 59-year-old Winnindoo woman who is currently assisting them with their enquiries.

In a previous stage of the operation in March, police seized a substantial amount of drugs and cash and arrested a 23 year old Heyfield woman and a 50 year old Narre Warren woman.

They were all charged with drug trafficking offences.

On Friday police also charged three men aged 39, 23 and 19, all from Heyfield, a 28-year-old Glenmaggie man, a 38-year-old Toongabbie man and a 28-year-old Traralgon man with drug trafficking and possession offences.

http://www.vicpolicenews.com.au/more-news/9818-ten-arrested-in-south-gippsland-drug-raids.html
 
OVER half a million dollars worth of drugs was seized by police during raids on two homes in south west Sydney.

Police found 2.3kg of a substance believed to be cocaine with an estimated street value of $450,000, more than 70 vials of anabolic steroids a small amount of MDMA tablets and over $39,000 in cash when they raided a house on Betts Rd, Merrylands about 12.20pm yesterday.

About 30mins later a house on Kensington Close, Cecil Hills was raided where police discovered approximately 450 grams of cocaine with an estimated street value of $100,000, over 400 grams of methylamphetamine (ice) with an estimated street value of $100,000, a large amount of MDMA tablets and over 50 live shotgun cartridges.

A 48-year-old Cecils Hill man was arrested and charged with numerous drug supply offences.

He has been refused bail and is expected to appear in Fairfield Local Court today.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/ne...ydney-home-raids/story-e6freuzi-1226410685050
 
NSW arrest 18 in cannabis raids

Eighteen people have been arrested and more than 20kg of cannabis seized during simultaneous raids across much of NSW.

ALMOST 150 police simultaneously stormed 18 properties across Sydney, the central Hunter, Tamworth and the central coast at 7am (AEST) on Friday.

Eighteen people arrested during the blitz are assisting officers with their inquiries.

Police expect to lay more than 150 charges against the 18 people arrested, in relation to the commercial supply of drugs and knowingly taking part in a criminal group.

The raids were part of an ongoing operation by Strike Force Whitmont, which was formed in March to investigate the large-scale supply of cannabis.

To date officers from the strike force have seized about 40kg of cannabis leaf with a potential street value of $260,000, police said.

http://www.news.com.au/breaking-new...n-cannabis-raids/story-e6frfku9-1226412192402
 
Australian and Chinese authorities dismantle drug syndicate

This is a joint media release with the Australian Federal Police and the National Narcotics Control Commission of The People’s Republic of China.

The National Narcotics Control Commission of The People’s Republic of China (NNCC) and the Australian Federal Police (AFP) have joined forces for the first time to dismantle an alleged transnational drug importation syndicate.

As a result of this long-running joint investigation, authorities in Australia and China have seized a combined total of 3.35 tonnes of safrole oil, with a pure weight of 331 kilograms of safrole oil, which is capable of producing approximately 274 kilograms of pure MDMA.

In addition, this joint operation has also led to the arrest of six people in China and three in Australia.

The operation began in Sydney in April 2011 when Australian Customs and Border Protection officers detected three consignments of safrole oil hidden in a shipment of shampoo bottles. In September 2011, the AFP charged three men in relation to this importation. These matters are currently before the courts.

The AFP then referred the matter to the NNCC, which continued investigations in China. Throughout the investigation the AFP worked closely with the National Narcotics Control Commission to coordinate significant resources and cooperation.

In March and April 2012, the NNCC arrested six people across a number of Chinese provinces, including Guangdong, Guangxi and Henan Province, with authorities seizing a further 500 kilograms of safrole oil. This complex transnational investigation is the first instance of AFP cooperation with the NNCC in Guangxi and Henan provinces.

NNCC Deputy Director Ming Deng said the success of dismantling this alleged criminal syndicate demonstrates the Chinese government’s firm commitment to international cooperation and transnational narcotics investigations.

“This operation shows the close working relationship between China and Australia in relation to this crime type, which will further enhance the level of precursor chemical management and control for both countries,” Mr Deng said.

“The excellent work undertaken by the NNCC to trace this syndicate back to its source has resulted in a devastating blow to the syndicate”.

AFP National Manager Crime Operations Ramzi Jabbour praised the collaborative approach undertaken by the two countries.

“The success of this operation exemplifies the commitment of Australian and Chinese law enforcement agencies to work together to combat the international illicit drug trade,” Assistant Commissioner Jabbour said.

http://www.afp.gov.au/media-centre/...ese-authorities-dismantle-drug-syndicate.aspx
 
Police seize suspected 'magic mushrooms'

Police in south-west Western Australia are patrolling areas of bushland known to contain so-called 'magic mushrooms' after seizing several kilograms of what is believed to be the fungus over the weekend.

Authorities say they found almost 5.5 kilograms of mushrooms near Donnybrook on Sunday in a car containing four Perth men.

Police say they are still waiting on test results to find out whether the mushrooms are of an illegal variety known to grow in the area.

They say no charges will be laid until all relevant tests have been conducted.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-06-27/police-seize-suspected-magic-mushrooms/4095912
 
Ex-prison guard changes drug supply plea to guilty

A former Waikato prison guard could face jail time after entering a surprise guilty plea to charges of smuggling methamphetamine, cannabis and drug paraphernalia into jail for inmates.

Kokiri Kihirini Junior Ronaki will reappear before the Hamilton District Court in August for sentencing after his trial, set down for three days, ended suddenly yesterday when the 43-year-old entered a guilty plea.

Ronaki pleaded not guilty through his lawyer Paul Mabey, QC, to charges of possession of cannabis and methamphetamine for supply and bringing a glass pipe into a prison when his trial began on Wednesday.

But after a few hours of evidence yesterday in which the court heard more phone conversations from inmates who spoke in coded messages to their contacts outside to try to secure drugs, the former prison guard changed his stance and admitted the charges.

Ronaki could be seen frowning through much of yesterday's evidence, which included inmates' recorded conversations between December 2010 and July last year referring to "Barry White CDs", "patches" and "colours" - code for drugs they wanted brought into prison.


At least one conversation identified Ronaki by name.

As Ronaki quietly admitted the charges from the dock, some people in the public gallery wiped their eyes and quietly sobbed.

The charges were laid on July 13 last year after a Corrections drug-dog handler, a prison manager and a Te Awamutu detective stopped Ronaki as he began his early morning shift, on the suspicion that he was carrying drugs.

They found 3.4g of cannabis, methamphetamine and a glass pipe with some other paraphernalia in his black backpack.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10816233
 
Prison for man who had P lab in rental


A man who operated a P lab in his rented home, causing more than $44,000 of damage, has been sentenced to three years in jail.

Anthony Vincent Morris, 35, appeared in the Rotorua District Court last week after earlier pleading guilty to the manufacture and supply of methamphetamine, and possessing equipment and materials used in its manufacture.

His former partner Linda Clair Nicky Te Aonui, 28, was sentenced to 12 months of intensive supervision for permitting the premises to be used for the manufacture of methamphetamine.

Judge Phillip Cooper said Rotorua police executed a search warrant near Westbrook Primary on November 4 last year and discovered evidence of a fully functioning, clandestine meth lab which had been recently in use.

Morris told police an associate cooked the methamphetamine and his role was to store it and wash it down. In exchange he was given a small amount of the highly-addictive drug, which he sold.

"You held it, cleaned it, you were very much involved," Judge Cooper said.


The judge said it had cost more than $44,000 to repair damage to the property and noted the effect being a former P lab house would have on its resale and rental value. He noted Morris did not have the means to make any reparation for this.

In sentencing Morris, Judge Cooper acknowledged that he appeared motivated to address his drug issues and would need access to a rehabilitation programme. He also gave Morris credit for his guilty plea.

The judge said although Te Aonui was the legal tenant, she was not "the real villain of the piece". He said Te Aonui had pleaded guilty and accepted she could have prevented the offending, although he questioned whether this was really the case.

He imposed a rehabilitative sentence because Te Aonui had already made significant changes to her life. She was no longer in a relationship with Morris, had been receiving counselling and had moved away from Rotorua. He had responsibilities to her two children, aged 4 and two months.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10816891
 
DVD cases hide drug importation attempt

Customs and Border Protection officers have foiled a novel attempt to smuggle nine packages of drugs into Australia within DVD cases.

The drugs were detected when Customs and Border Protection officers at the Sydney Gateway Facility selected and x-rayed the packages from the Netherlands on 27 June 2012.

During x-ray screening, officers noticed anomalies in the images of the parcels. When they examined the contents, they discovered an assortment of drugs concealed in DVD cases.

The goods were in plain packaging marked with the logo of a well known company in an attempt to avoid Customs and Border Protection’s scrutiny.

The packages contained 50 grams of MDMA, 21 grams of cocaine and 60 tabs of LSD. There is no suggestion the company whose markings were on the parcel were in any way associated with the importation attempt.

Customs and Border Protection National Manager Cargo Operations, Jagtej Singh, said this seizure demonstrates the effectiveness of Customs and Border Protection’s international mail screening processes and the use of technology.

“While criminals work hard to find ways to circumvent our borders, Customs and Border Protection is working hard to stay ahead of these threats. This is an example of where the packaging was used as an attempt to camouflage criminal activity.

“Customs and Border Protection remains focused on intercepting illicit drugs and the detection should serve as a warning to anyone who thinks they can get around our stringent checks on goods coming into Australia,” he said.

The maximum penalty for an offence of this type is a fine of $250 000 and/or 10 years imprisonment.

http://www.customs.gov.au/site/mediarelease120706.asp
 
Drug syndicate smashed

Customs and Border Protection and Victoria Police have smashed a Melbourne-based drug syndicate importing and distributing the medication ContacNT which contains the drug precursor pseudoephedrine.

ContacNT is readily available over the counter in China and can be used in the manufacture of other illegal drugs including methamphetamines, commonly known as speed and ice.

A series of joint agency raids at nine locations across Melbourne yesterday resulted in the arrest of nine Chinese nationals. An additional six unlawful non-citizens were detained by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.

The operation was the result of several months of intense investigations and surveillance by Customs and Border Protection and Victoria Police.

Yesterday evidence of several recent importations of ContacNT and 300 grams of methamphetamine were also recovered by officers. This evidence will lead to further investigations of persons of interest.

It will be alleged in court the individuals involved were importing the drug into Melbourne via the cargo and international mail systems and distributing it to its final destination across a number of states.

Ten kilograms of ContacNT can yield approximately four kilograms of pseudoephedrine, which can result in the production of 2.8 kilograms of methamphetamine.

Customs and Border Protection detections of the substance have risen dramatically since 2009. In 2011 there were 222 detections nationally, around half of which were made in Victoria.

“The drugs derived by importing ContacNT harm the community, create crime on the streets and damage the health of those who are addicted to them,” said Customs and Border Protection Regional Director Graham Krisohos.

“This highly successful operation is testament to the co-operation between Customs and Border Protection officers and their law enforcement partners around the country,” Mr Krisohos said.

"This joint investigation between Customs & Border Protection and Victoria Police is evidence of the excellent results which can be achieved by state and federal agencies working in unison to impact on the manufacture of illegal drugs", said Detective Inspector Stephen Wilson of Victoria Police Clandestine Laboratory Squad.

ContacNT is usually imported through express mail or express courier. Criminal syndicates are targeting international students to receive parcels containing ContacNT which they pass on to others.

The penalty for importing a marketable amount of a border controlled drug, such as pseudoephedrine, is a fine of up to $330,000 or 15 years in prison.

http://www.customs.gov.au/site/mediarelease040712.asp
 
Over $1.5 million worth of cannabis seized - Earlwood

Police have arrested a 23-year-old man, and seized a large amount of cannabis following a search warrant at a home in Sydney’s inner south.

About 7am today (Friday 6 July 2012), police attached to Operation Grassy, comprising officers from the Redfern Region Enforcement Squad, executed a search warrant at a home on Homer Street, Earlwood.

Police will allege the property had been substantially converted with nine rooms inside the home being used for the cultivation of cannabis.

Officers allegedly seized 467 cannabis plants – with a combined street value in excess of $1.5 million – from the property.

A 23-year-old Earlwood man was subsequently arrested at the location, before being taken to Burwood Police Station where he was charged with:
• Supply prohibited drug – large commercial quantity;
• Possess prohibited drug;
• Enhanced indoor cultivation plant for commercial purposes;
• Use/consume/waste electricity without authority.

He will appear in Parramatta Bail Court tomorrow (Saturday 7 July 2012).

http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/news/m...nb3YuYXUlMkZtZWRpYSUyRjI0MTk3Lmh0bWwmYWxsPTE=
 
Drug Bust - Moulden

image%203%20-%20Moulden.ashx


A 34-year-old man will appear in court today to face drug possession charges.

Detectives of the Drug and Organised Crime Squad seized around 570 grams of cannabis and around 5 grams of amphetamines from a house in Moulden yesterday afternoon.

Detective A/Senior Sergeant Mark Stringer of the Drug and Organised Crime Squad said a quantity of the drugs were located in a boat belonging to the alleged offender.

“Detectives seized the alleged offender’s boat and $11, 355 worth of cash during the operation” said Detective A/Senior Sergeant Stringer.

The offender has been charged with:

Possess Cannabis – Commercial quantity

Possess Methamphetamine – Trafficable quantity

Receive Property – Commission of offence.

In an unrelated investigation, Detectives arrested and charged a 57-year-old man yesterday morning.

Police executed a search warrant at the mans property in Livingstone and discovered a hydroponics set up, four large mature cannabis plants, 270 grams of cannabis head and a bag of edible cannabis products.

The offender has been charged with:

Possess Cannabis – Trafficable quantity

Cultivate Cannabis – Trafficable quantity.

The man has been released on bail and is due to appear in court at a later date.

Detective A/Senior Sergeant Stringer said we will continue to investigate and prosecute people involved in the production and distribution of illicit drugs in the community.

http://www.pfes.nt.gov.au/Media-Centre/Media-releases/2012/July/06/Drug-Bust-Moulden.aspx
 
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Bali Nine member files for last-ditch pardon

The second Australian Bali Nine member facing the death penalty has applied for a presidential pardon.

Myuran Sukamaran and Andrew Chan are both facing the death penalty over the failed plot to carry heroin to Australia in 2005.

The other seven members of the so-called Bali Nine are serving prison sentences of between 20 years and life behind bars.

Earlier this year Chan filed an appeal for clemency to the president, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

Now Sukamaran has also filed for a pardon as a last attempt to avoid the firing squad.

The district court where the appeal was filed has 20 days to pass it to the supreme court, which has three months to consider the appeal and refer it to the president.

Last year Mr Yudhoyono said he was unlikely to grant clemency in death penalty cases.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-07-09/a-second-bali-nine-member-makes-clemency-bid/4119494
 
Hong Kong customs makes record drug bust

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PHOTO: John Lee (C), head of customs drug investigation bureau showcases Hong Kong's record cocaine haul. (AFP: Dale de la Rey)

Hong Kong customs officers have made the city's largest cocaine bust, after finding almost 650 kilograms of the drug - with a street value of about $US98 million - in a shipping container.

The officers, acting on tip-off from US authorities, seized the 649 kilogram haul from a container from Ecuador as it was being taken to the remote New Territories on Wednesday.

Authorities intercepted the truck, arresting three local men including the driver.

"This is the biggest ever cocaine seizure made in Hong Kong," Customs Drug Investigation Bureau head John Lee told reporters.

He says officers found 22 bags with a total of 541 slabs, each with around 1.2 kilograms of cocaine.

Mr Lee says he believes most of the cocaine was to be transported to Southeast Asian countries, but denied the southern Chinese city has become a transit route for drugs smuggling.

The seizure was the second in a week. On Tuesday a 63-year-old man travelling from Brazil was arrested for allegedly smuggling almost two kilograms of cocaine in his specially adapted underpants and shoes.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-07-06/hk-customs-make-record-coke-bust/4115358
 
Drug operation closure, Gold Coast

Gold Coast detectives have charged 35 people with 244 drug and property related offences following the closure of Operation Juliet Stilton over the weekend.

Between July 6 and July 8 local police executed 26 search warrants on addresses throughout the Gold Coast with officers allegedly locating and seizing a large quantity of cannabis, amphetamines, property and cash.

All those arrested are due to appear in the Southport Magistrates Court in coming weeks.

http://qpsmedia.govspace.gov.au/2012/07/09/drug-operation-closure-gold-coast/
 
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