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

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Set for war on weed

Oamaru police are ramping up an intelligence campaign as the new cannabis growing season gets under way.

The premium growing season for cannabis is between November and March.

Oamaru police Community Constable Bruce Dow said that with the spring weather and warmer days, plants would be moved outside and seedlings would begin to be planted out.

"We ask the public to be aware of activities which can signify a cannabis-growing operation, either small or large," he said.

Rural areas were a favoured growing location for the drug, with plants, either singly or in clusters, often planted out in remote areas of farmland, by infrequently used sheds, in forestry blocks or alongside streams that provide water for the plants.

Strange vehicles coming and going from a rural location could also be a giveaway for a growing operation, Mr Dow said.

"Call your local police station or Crimestoppers with as much detail as possible in relation to location and, if possible, the licence plate numbers of any vehicles. The assistance of rural landowners and urban dwellers as extra eyes and ears to help the police, particularly during the cannabis growing season, are always very much appreciated.

"We also urge those who hear about or see plants not to take matters into their own hands, but to pick up the telephone."

http://www.oamarumail.co.nz/news/set-for-war-on-weed/1537741/
 
Drug supply investigation leads to seizure of additional $1 million cash - Strike Force Lavender

Drug Squad detectives have seized an additional $1 million cash as part of ongoing investigations into a drug supply syndicate.

Strike Force Lavender is an ongoing investigation by State Crime Command’s Drug Squad into the supply of prohibited drugs by a Sydney-based syndicate.

Last month, following advice provided by the Drug Squad to the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service and the Australian Federal Police, four men were arrested at Sydney International Airport in a joint-agency operation with officers seizing $1 million cash and a quantity of steroids.

Another two men were arrested at Ashfield by Drug Squad detectives with methylamphetamine (‘ice’), steroids and cash seized.

All six men remain before the court.

Following further investigations, Drug Squad detectives executed a search warrant on a safe deposit box at a Sydney CBD bank yesterday afternoon (Monday 10 September 2012).

Inside, they located about $1 million in Australian currency.

Investigations under Strike Force Lavender are continuing and detectives have not ruled out further arrests.

http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/news/m...nb3YuYXUlMkZtZWRpYSUyRjI1NTA2Lmh0bWwmYWxsPTE=
 
More delays in alleged bikies court case

Half a dozen alleged members of the Lone Wolf outlaw motorcycle gang appeared in the Coffs Harbour Local Court this morning.

The men face charges including drug supply, after arrests in dawn raids on the Coffs Coast earlier this year.

The magistrate told the court he's "disappointed" by "undue delays" with the cases.

The DPP sought a five month adjournment to continue transcribing intercepted phone calls.

The court heard local detectives are transcribing all relevant text messages to try and speed up the matters.

The court will get an update on 11th of December and several bail applications will be heard in two weeks.

The magistrate indicated the matter may move to Sydney because the local courts can't handle the 15 co-accused.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-09-11/more-delays-in-alleged-bikies-court-case/4255198
 
Man arrested as part of ongoing investigations into multi-million dollar drug seizure - Strike Force Taipan

A man has been charged with large commercial drug supply and money laundering offences as part of an ongoing investigation that led to the seizure of drugs worth more than $26 million earlier this year.

Strike Force Taipan – comprising detectives attached to State Crime Command’s Organised Crime Targeting Squad and the NSW Crime Commission – was formed to investigate the large commercial supply of prohibited drugs.

In February 2012, officers seized a large quantity of prohibited drugs hidden inside fruit juice containers during search warrants at a storage unit, business premises and residences throughout Sydney.

The drugs included 50kg of opium, almost 1.5kg of brown heroin and 47.6kg of ‘Ice’.

A man arrested at the time remains before the court.

Investigations under Strike Force Taipan have been continuing, and yesterday morning (Tuesday 12 September 2012), detectives arrested a 47-year-old man at a home in Glenorie.

He was taken to Castle Hill Police Station where he was charged with three counts of supply prohibited drug (greater than large commercial quantity) and knowingly deal with proceeds of crime.

The man faced Parramatta Local Court yesterday where he was refused bail to reappear on 16 October 2012 at Central Local Court.

http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/news/m...nb3YuYXUlMkZtZWRpYSUyRjI1NTIxLmh0bWwmYWxsPTE=
 
Teens take paramedic hostage

Hijacking of ambulance by drugged pair highlights dangers of officers working alone.

EXPAND
Single-crewing of ambulances poses a risk to patients' health and officers' safety. Photo / Brett Phibbs
A woman paramedic was hijacked in her ambulance by two drug-addled teenagers when answering a 111 call on her own - then had to keep working to take one of their friends to hospital.

One of the youths threatened to kill the ambulance officer working alone in Warkworth, north of Auckland, unless she drove to help their two friends who were overdosing on drugs.

"You need to hurry up and f****** drive bitch or I will f****** kill you," the ambulance officer was told, according to her incident report to St John obtained by the Herald.

She managed to escape by pushing one of them out the passenger door and driving to the police station.

The case highlights potential dangers paramedics face while working on their own.

The Government agreed to give an extra $48 million over four years to pay for 100 new paramedics following a Health Select Committee review in 2007, after union concerns that "single-crewing of ambulances in some parts of New Zealand poses a risk to patients' health and at times ambulance officer safety".


"This is placing a huge strain on ambulance officers and putting lives at risk. No ambulance officer should be faced with the dilemma of having to choose between treating a patient or driving the ambulance to hospital," the Green Party wrote in the 2008 report.

The St John annual report for 2010/11 showed 37,000 of 336,000 emergency calls were attended by paramedics working alone, or about one in 10 calls. When urban calls are discounted, that figure rises to about one in four. Nevertheless, the 2010/11 total is down on the 50,000 solo callouts of the 275,000 emergencies from five years ago.

Michael Brooke, St John national operations manager, said single-crewed ambulances were a "key concern" in rural areas.

"There was a school of thought that we should put pressure [on the Government] to have full crewing everywhere," he said, but added that that was unaffordable due to New Zealand's low-density population.

The female paramedic declined to comment but her account was included in documents obtained by the Herald.

The teenage boys forced their way into the front cab of the ambulance in the early hours of a Saturday in May before yelling, punching and kicking the dashboard.

The senior paramedic said she would take the boys wherever they wanted.

She managed to turn on the handheld radio and alert her colleagues, while slowing the ambulance in the hope of jumping out and escaping.

Instead, one of the boys opened the passenger door and she pushed the more aggressive teenager out of the ambulance and drove away.

The Warkworth police station was closed, so officers from Orewa - 27km of winding road away - were forced to respond.

She drove to the empty Warkworth station to wait and left the hallucinating youth inside the ambulance until backup arrived.

Hiding at the back of the station, she was alerted by radio that a third member of the group, talking aggressively to the 111 call-taker, was walking towards her.

The police arrived and both young men were arrested.

Soon after, the police found teenagers' friend, who was having a seizure from a suspected overdose on magic mushrooms.

With no other help around, the female paramedic was then forced to take him to North Shore Hospital despite the ordeal.

The patient thrashed around and was handcuffed to the stretcher, before biting the police officer escorting the paramedic for protection.

The teenager who was pushed out of the ambulance was later arrested and police planned to charge him with threatening to kill. But he was instead placed in drug rehabilitation under strict conditions after a family group conference organised by CYFS in July.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10833411
 
Pacific Update: Drug swoops worry authorities

A $500-million drug swoop in Australia and an undisclosed catch of cannabis in the Cook Islands in August have alarmed quarantine authorities and raised fears at how illegal drug traders have easy access into the region despite attempts to crack down on such illicit trade.

The Cook Islands—which hosted the powerful 43rd Heads of Government Pacific Islands Forum meeting in August—was woken up one morning last month to the news that a former police chief’s daughter was caught in the midst of a drug ring.
Three Rarotongan locals including a former senior policewoman Inano Matapo, her partner Giovanni Marsters, and a postal officer Sam Tangaroa were engaged in what was described as the island nation’s biggest drug bust.

Police claimed that 10 other locals were being investigated and could face imprisonment once the extent of their alleged involvement was ascertained.
Matapoa, daughter of former a police commissioner, confessed to selling cannabis in the Cook Islands.

She will spend two and a half years in jail and Marsters six years after being convicted of importing the drug.

Tangaroa, of the local government post office agency, was charged with intercepting drug imports from New Zealand, before police dogs could detect them. He will face four years.

As reported in ISLANDS BUSINESS last month, the use and demand for cannabis has risen to exceptionally high levels in the Oceania region in the last five years.

Of particular alarm in the region are Fiji, Palau, Northern Marianas and the Marshall Islands—where according to the World Drugs Report 2012 —increasing percentage of youths were depending on drugs.
The annual report claimed that drugs could eventually lead to deaths or cause extraordinary bouts of rage among new users as well as addicts.
Drugs like cannabis, heroin and ice, an amphetamine derivative, have life destroying capacity.

The report was unclear whether drug use in the islands was derived from local plantations or from New Zealand, Australia and United States.

But the Cook Islands arrests directly linked the imports to New Zealand—where the Rarotonga trio were assisted by a former high-ranking Auckland policeman, Mark Franklin.
Franklin was a small time dealer, selling cannabis from a local bar.

Cook Islands Television quoted informants as saying that a joint effort by police in New Zealand and Rarotonga last year was key to resolving what has been regarded as the Cooks’ greatest drug bust.

Sydney pots $500m
In early August, the US Drug Enforcement Administration and the Australian Federal Police clamped down on illicit drugs, with a street value of $A500 million—it was in Australia’s history the third largest seizure—a haul of 558kg of heroin and ice.
Arrests were linked to Hong Kong-based syndicates with individuals aged between 29 and 61, operating out of western Sydney.

The cracks were imported in what police said was “unsophisticated wrapping” of 3200 terracotta pots. AFP deputy commissioner Andrew Colvin said their operation led to the largest single catch of ice and the third largest snatch of heroin.
Colvin said the drugs would have made its way to the streets in every state capital in Australia with popular nightlife and even abroad where Australian tourists frequently visit.

“Countless lives would have been affected had this seizure made its way to Australian streets. Whether it be the users, the healthcare workers that deal with drug issues each and every day, or the family that has been torn apart through illicit drug use,” Colvin told reporters in August.

The illegal shipment contained 252kg of heroin and 306kg of ice.
The use of such drugs by addicts as well as newcomers encourages thuggery and adds violence on the streets of nightclub scenes in Australia, New Zealand and the islands.

Australia’s border security officials argue that illicit drugs feed violence and anger in our streets and regional quarantine authorities should attempt to curb imports from Asian source countries.
The UN drug report noted that Oceania boasted one of the highest prevalence rates of cannabis use globally, peaking between 9.3% to 14.8% of the working population aged 15-64.

“Evidence suggests that cannabis and other cannabinoids can produce a range of transient psychotic symptoms and cognitive deficits, such as transient deficits in learning, short-term memory, working memory, executive function, abstract ability, decision-making and attention,” the authoritative UN report said. —By Davendra Sharma

http://www.islandsbusiness.com/isla...D=20286/overideSkinName=issueArticle-full.tpl
 
Tourism worker escapes drug conviction

A Hamilton tourism worker has escaped a drug conviction after successfully arguing that it would end her career.

Joanne Lee Hamblyn, 47, was discharged on charges of possession of cannabis and possession of methamphetamine in the Hamilton District Court today.

Hamblyn's counsel said his client was an assistant manager in the tourism industry and involved her travelling around the world.

Trips over the next few months include to Australia, United States and Canada. A conviction would not only prevent any travel but also cost her job.

Hamblyn was not also a regular user of either drug, he said.

In considering his decision, Judge Glen Marshall said Hamblyn did only have small amounts when caught by police: a "minute" quantity of methamphetamine and about 5 grams of cannabis, "which is also very small", he said.

"I must then decide whether a conviction will be out of proportion ... the direct consequence of a conviction would lose your employment. In this case I will exercise my discretion in granting a discharge without conviction."

http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/7671609/Tourism-worker-escapes-drug-conviction
 
NSW MP's brothers jailed for drug ring

Two brothers of NSW MP Paul Toole have been jailed for running a major drugs syndicate in Newcastle.

Joshua Toole, 28 and Kurt Toole, 22, admitted trading large quantities of cannabis and the party drug methylamphetamine in 2010.

Joshua was jailed for a minimum of nine years for his "supervisory" role in the syndicate.

Kurt, whom Judge Laura Wells said held a slightly more junior role and did most of the "leg work", was jailed for a minimum of seven years.

"The operation in my view can be seen as reasonably sophisticated," Judge Wells told the court.

"They dealt with large quantities of cannabis and methylamphetamine and made quite a profit."

The court heard Joshua, who was addicted to steroids, bought and sold at least 25kg of cannabis and 6kg of methylamphetamine.

He was also convicted of handling the proceeds of crime after the NSW Crime Commission discovered $200,000 he'd stuffed into a Newcastle bank safety deposit box.

Kurt bought and sold 17kg of cannabis and just over one kilogram of methylamphetamine and was also convicted of smashing windows and doors during a "standover" attack at the home of a rival.

The pair were caught after police intercepted a package of drugs bound for Joshua in September 2010.

Kurt was arrested at the Charlestown apartment the brothers shared and used as the base for the syndicate.

Both men admitted the charges at Newcastle Local Court in January.

At least six other people who played far more minor roles in the syndicate have since been convicted.

The Tooles' father, Trevor - former mayor of the now defunct Evans Shire Council and a former NSW Nationals candidate - told the court his sons became involved with drugs after moving to Newcastle from the family home and farm in Bathurst.

Kurt and Joshua have seven brothers and sisters, who have careers in teaching, health and the police force including Paul Toole who was elected the Nationals state member for Bathurst in 2011.

"It remains a mystery why the rest of the family have followed paths of respectability but Kurt and Joshua did not," the brothers' lawyer Peter Hastings told the court.

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/national/14840617/nsw-mps-brothers-jailed-for-drug-ring/
 
Man charged following cannabis seizure - Penshurst

A man will face a Sydney court tomorrow after being charged with drug offences.

About 8am today (Friday 14 September 2012), police attached to Redfern Regional Enforcement Squad executed a search warrant at a house on Kuroki Street, Penshurst.

Police will allege that officers located a large amount of cannabis and hydroponic cultivation equipment in three rooms.

The cannabis, with an estimated street value of $410,000, and a number of other items were seized during the raid.

A 28-year-old male occupant of the house was arrested and taken to St George Police Station, where he was charged with:

- Enhanced Indoor Cultivation of Cannabis for Commercial Purpose;

- Supply Indictable Quantity of Prohibited Drug; and

- Steal Electricity

He was refused bail to appear before Central Local Court tomorrow (Saturday 15 September 2012).

http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/news/m...nb3YuYXUlMkZtZWRpYSUyRjI1NTc4Lmh0bWwmYWxsPTE=
 
Drugs located after driver tries to avoid RBT - Wagga Wagga

Police have located cannabis after a vehicle allegedly tried to avoid an RBT in Wagga Wagga yesterday.

About 2.20pm (Thursday 13 September 2012), police from Traffic and Highway Patrol Command attempted to stop a Holden in Marshall Street, Wagga Wagga.

As police tried to stop the vehicle, the car pulled harshly into a driveway and the driver got out of the car and began running from the scene.

Police directed the man to return to the car however he walked down the side of his premises in Marshall Street and closed a large gate on police.

Police kicked the gate open and apprehended the driver, placing him under arrest.

Police searched the premises and allegedly located 352 grams of cannabis, as well as number plates and DVDs.

He was taken to Wagga Wagga Police Station where he was charged with a number of offences including fail to stop, goods in custody, and deem supply prohibited drug.

A 20-year-old man, the man’s son, was also charged with possess prohibited drug and drug smoking implement.

Operations Commander of Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, Superintendent Stuart Smith, says that this driver made the situation far worse for himself by trying to avoid the RBT.

“Let this serve as a warning that if you try to avoid an RBT site, you won’t get away with it, no matter how you try to go about it.

“And with police CATCH training, anyone partaking in drug distribution can also be assured they will be put before a court,” Superintendent Smith said.

http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/news/m...nb3YuYXUlMkZtZWRpYSUyRjI1NTc2Lmh0bWwmYWxsPTE=
 
Man charged after cannabis worth $680,000 seized - Bexley North

A man will face court today after police allegedly discovered a large quantity of cannabis at a property in Bexley North.

Earlier this month, officers attached to the Redfern Regional Enforcement Squad began surveillance on a house in Shaw Street, following reports the premise was being used for the cultivation of cannabis plants.

About 6.30pm yesterday (Thursday 13 September 2012), police executed a search warrant at the property, where officers allegedly located cannabis plants and a sophisticated set-up of hydroponic equipment in four rooms.

A 28-year-old man was arrested and taken to St George Police Station.

During the raid, police seized 136 cannabis plants with a street value of $680,000, as well as about 4kg of dried leaf and bud, and a sum of cash.

The man was later charged with:

- enhanced indoor cultivation of cannabis for commercial purpose;

- supply indictable quantity of prohibited drug;

- proceeds of crime; and

- steal electricity

He was refused bail to appear before Central Local Court today (14 September 2012).

http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/news/m...nb3YuYXUlMkZtZWRpYSUyRjI1NTcxLmh0bWwmYWxsPTE=
 
Man charged after cannabis seized - Campsie

A man will face court today on drug charges after police allegedly discovered a large quantity of cannabis at a house in Sydney’s south west.

About 5am yesterday (Wednesday 12 September 2012), police attached to Campsie Local Area Command were called to Byron Street, Campsie, following reports of a domestic dispute between a man and a woman.

Upon entering the residence, officers allegedly smelt cannabis and noticed bright lighting coming from underneath a bedroom door.

Inside the room, police allegedly discovered a number of cannabis plants and hydroponic cultivation equipment.

A 25-year-old man was arrested and taken to Campsie Police Station.

About 12.30pm, police executed a search warrant at the property, where officers allegedly located 110 cannabis plants – with a potential street value of about $230,000 – in three rooms.

The man was later charged with enhanced indoor cultivation of cannabis for commercial purpose.

He was refused bail to appear before Burwood Local Court today (13 September 2012).

http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/news/m...nb3YuYXUlMkZtZWRpYSUyRjI1NTQ4Lmh0bWwmYWxsPTE=
 
Man on drugs charges after vehicle stopped - Parkes

A 36-year-old man was charged with drug offences after his car was stopped in the state’s central west today (Wednesday 12 September 2012).

About 3.30am, Parkes Police stopped a Nissan Tiida sedan travelling along Bogan Street at Parkes.

On speaking with the driver, police searched the car and allegedly recovered approximately 2.5 kilograms of cannabis.

The driver was arrested and taken to Parkes Police Station where he was subsequently charged with possessing a prohibited drug and supplying a prohibited drug.

The 36-year-old from Ashmore in Queensland was refused bail and appeared in Forbes Local Court today.

http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/news/m...nb3YuYXUlMkZtZWRpYSUyRjI1NTM2Lmh0bWwmYWxsPTE=
 
Three arrested, 10 kilograms of amphetamine seized hidden in wine bottles

Three men are scheduled to appear in Central Local Court and Newtown Court today charged with importing approximately 10 kilograms of pure amphetamine into Australia.

The operation began earlier this year when New South Wales Police provided the AFP with information relating to the suspected importation of amphetamine via international mail.

The Australian Customs and Border Protection Service subsequently intercepted five consignments, believed to have originated from France, containing wine bottles filled with a suspicious liquid.

Initial testing of the substance indicated the presence of amphetamine.

The AFP subsequently conducted a controlled delivery and executed seven search warrants in Petersham, Five Dock, Ashfield, Dulwich Hill, Pyrmont, Forest Lodge and North Ryde.

The AFP has charged three men, aged between 18 and 27 with the following:

Attempting to possess a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, namely amphetamine, contrary to Section 307.5 of the Criminal Code Act 1995.
Aid and Abet an Attempt to possess a commercial quantity of an unlawfully imported border controlled drug, namely amphetamine, contrary to section 307.5 of the Criminal Code Act 1995.

AFP Acting Manager Crime Operations David Berston said yesterday’s operation showed domestic law enforcement agencies are serious about combating the importation of illegal substances.

"We will continue to work closely with our partner agencies to prosecute those who attempt to import drugs across our borders and onto our streets," Commander Berston said.

“This seizure and subsequent arrests is another example of agencies working together to stop the importation of drugs, no matter what the concealment method used by crime syndicates.”

Customs and Border Protection National Manager Cargo Operations, Jagtej Singh, said this seizure highlights the importance of partner agencies sharing intelligence to target criminal syndicates seeking to breach our borders.

“Our officers are highly trained in detecting concealed substances coming through the international mail and work closely with other agencies to ensure these substances do not find their way into our communities,” Mr Singh said.

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

http://www.afp.gov.au/media-centre/...mphetamine-seized-hidden-in-wine-bottles.aspx
 
Man charged with importing cocaine

A 27-year-old American man is scheduled to appear in Central Local Court today charged by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) with importing approximately two kilograms of cocaine at Sydney Airport.

The man arrived at Sydney International Airport on a flight from Buenos Aires on Tuesday 11 September 2012 and was selected by Customs and Border Protection officers for a baggage examination.

While examining the man’s luggage, Customs and Border Protection officers located 11 packages labelled as “coffee” and “hot chocolate”. The packages contained brown granules which tested positive for cocaine.

The packages were referred to the AFP for further testing to confirm the exact weight and purity of the substance.

The man was charged with importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, namely cocaine, contrary to section 307.1 of the Criminal Code Act 1995.

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

http://www.customs.gov.au/site/mediaRelease20120912.asp
 
http://www.sapolicenews.com.au/more-news/9904-heroin-and-cash-found-at-athol-park.html
Saturday, 15 September 2012 8:24am
Heroin and cash found at Athol Park

A routine traffic stop by police yesterday at Cavan led to the discovery or heroin and cash.

Further enquiries included the search of a house at Athol Park where police located 7 grams of heroin and $7469.00 in cash.

The seizure of 7 grams of heroin equates to 70 street deals.

A 53-year-old man and a 53-year-old woman were arrested and charged with drug trafficking offences and unlawful possession.

They were both bailed to appear at the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court on 24 October, 2012.
 
Jail for drug dealer with bikie link

A West Australian bikie gang member has been sentenced to 17 years jail for being in charge of a multi-million dollar drug distribution network.

Steve Milenkovski was found guilty of organising two separate drug deals in 2009 and 2010, that were worth an estimated $3.6 million.

The methylamphetamine was brought to Perth from New South Wales, where Milenkovski was dealing with the head of a national drug syndicate.

Two other men received sentences of nine-and-a-half years and eight years for their role in the drug deals.

Milenkovski, who is a member of the Comancheros Gang, will have to serve 15 years before he can be released.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-09-14/lengthy-jail-term-for-drug-dealer-with-bikie-links/4262440
 
Hong Kong man faces court over $16 million drug haul

This is a joint media release between the Australian Fderal Police, Australian Customs and Border Protection Service, NSW Police Force, the NSW Crime Commission and the Australian Crime Commission.

A 45-year-old Hong Kong national was arrested with almost 24 kilograms of narcotics by the Joint Organised Crime Group (JOCG), and will face court today charged with drug supply offences.

On 7 September 2012, JOCG officers conducted search warrants in Seven Hills, Blacktown and Marsfield, where they seized 21.05 kilograms of heroin and 2.68 kilograms of cocaine that had been concealed within a cargo consignment of steel fencing originating from China.

The combined street value of the narcotics is estimated to be worth up to $16 million dollars.

A Hong Kong national was arrested and charged with two counts of Supply Prohibited Drug not less than Large Commercial Quantity, contrary to section 25(2) of the Drug Misuse and Trafficking Act 1985.

The man was refused bail and will appear today in the Sydney Central Local Court.

The JOCG comprises the Australian Federal Police (AFP), Australian Customs and Border Protection Service, NSW Police Force, the NSW Crime Commission and the Australian Crime Commission.

AFP Manager Serious and Organised Crime David Sharpe said the JOCG was a prime example of a joint law enforcement partnership that was key to disrupting transnational drug syndicates.

“This seizure, along with other recent operations with our law enforcement partners sends a clear message to organised crime syndicates that we will continue to target and disrupt their activities,” Commander Sharpe said.

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

NSW Police State Crime Commander Mal Lanyon said the NSW Police Force was committed to reducing the availability of prohibited drugs on the streets of NSW.

“This result is a further demonstration of the ability of law enforcement agencies at a State and Commonwealth level to work in partnership to seize drugs and enhance community safety,” Acting Assistant Commissioner Lanyon said.

“This is a significant seizure and I would like to commend the ongoing work of the Joint Organised Crime Group in targeting individuals and syndicates who seek to import prohibited drugs."

Customs and Border Protection Acting National Director Intelligence and Targeting, Chris Wall said that Australian law enforcement authorities would use all of the resources available to them to stop illicit importations such as this one.

“Working together with our law enforcement partners, Customs and Border Protection is committed to protecting the Australian community from these dangerous substances,” Mr Wall said.

The maximum penalties for these offences are 25 years imprisonment and/or a $550,000 fine.

http://www.afp.gov.au/media-centre/n...drug-haul.aspx
 
Closure of drug operation, Mackay

Detectives from the Mackay Criminal Investigation Branch have closed Operation Kilo Demon resulting in 24 people facing charges.

The operation commenced on March 31 and targeted the supply of dangerous drugs in the Mackay area.

24 people are facing a total of 82 charges including six counts of trafficking, six counts of supplying dangerous drugs, 32 counts of possessing dangerous drugs, three counts of possess proceeds from drug offences, one count of money laundering and one of possess weapon.

The 24 men and women, range in age from 18 to 45. Three are from Moranbah and the remaining 21 are from Mackay.

One man, a 26-year-old from Mackay is to appear at the Mackay Magistrates Court tomorrow.

The others are expected to appear in court on later dates.

http://mypolice.qld.gov.au/blog/2012/09/18/closure-of-drug-operation-mackay/
 
Joint investigation seizes more than 70kg of ice

This is a joint media release between the AFP and Customs and Border Protection

Three Sydney men have been charged in a joint operation conducted by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Australian Customs and Border Protection Service, for attempting to import more than 70kg of ‘ice’ (methamphetamine) into Australia hidden within furniture.

It is estimated that the street value of this quantity of ice is worth up to $42 million.

The operation began earlier this month when Customs and Border Protection officers, acting on intelligence, inspected a shipping container that had arrived into Sydney from Hong Kong.

Documents associated with the container listed the contents as an outdoor dining set. X-rays and a physical unpack of the container located around seventy one kilogram packages secreted inside the framework of five lounges.

The matter was then referred to the AFP for further investigation.

On 20 September 2012 the AFP conducted a controlled operation after the furniture was accessed by three men at a residence in Fairfield.

The AFP subsequently executed further search warrants in Sydney overnight.

Customs and Border Protection National Manager Cargo Operations Jagtej Singh said this seizure will help to protect the community.

“Ice is a terrible drug that destroys people’s lives. This seizure is another great example of the work that our officers and our law enforcement partners do everyday to maintain the integrity of our borders, and to protect our community,” Mr Singh said.

AFP Manager of Serious and Organised Crime David Sharpe said the successful outcome of this joint investigation is a great result for the two agencies.

"The strength of partnerships formed by law enforcement agencies nationally and internationally have resulted in significant seizures of illicit narcotics over the past 12 months," Commander Sharpe said.

“This seizure adds to the 14 tonnes of illicit substances seized last financial year by the AFP and partner agencies.”

A 29-year-old man has been charged with:

Importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, namely methamphetamine, contrary to section 307.1 of the Criminal Code Act 1995.
A 19-year-old-man and a 32-year-old man have been charged with:

Attempting to possess a commercial quantity of an unlawfully imported border controlled drug, namely methamphetamine, contrary to 307.5 of the Criminal Code Act 1995, by virtue of section 11.1 of the Criminal Code Act 1995.
The men are expected to appear in Sydney Central local court today.

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

4274508-3x2-940x627.jpg

The drugs were concealed in a shipment of furniture.

http://www.afp.gov.au/media-centre/...vestigation-seizes-more-than-70kg-of-ice.aspx
 
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